Full text of "S.S. "Borodino" M.F.A., No. 6; a short account of the work of the Junior Army and Navy Stores, ltd. with H.M. Grand Fleet, December 1914 - February 1919 by William J. Allen"

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M.F.A. No. 6.

A SHORT ACCOUNT

OF THE WORK OF THE

Junior Army and Navy Stores

J - LTD.

WITH

H.M. GRAND FLEET

DECEMBER 1914

FEBRUARY 1919

WILLIAM J. ALLE

(Secretary and Assistant Manager, JUNIOR ARMY A

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED

FOR THE

JUNIOR ARMY AND NAVY STORES, LIMITED

YORK HOUSE, 15, REGENT STREET, LONDON, S.W i

By THE FI.KETWAY PKESS, LIMITED, i, 2 and 3, Salisbury Court, Fleet St., London. E.C. 4
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

659143

LIST OF PLATES.

S.S. " BORODINO," JUNIOR ARMY & NAVY STORES' STORES

SHIP... Frontispiece

Facing page

OFFICERS AND OFFICIALS ... 7

INTERIOR OF SHOP ••• 10

WASHING MACHINERY IN LAUNDRY 12

H.M.S. "IRON DUKE," FLAGSHIP OF ADMIRAL VISCOUNT

JELLICOE ... 14

" BORODINO " ALONGSIDE H.M.S. " EMPEROR OF INDIA " ... 14

WAREHOUSE IN " BORODINO " 17

IRONING SECTION OF LAUNDRY 19

FOR'ARD VIEW OF " BORODINO " 21

REFRIGERATING CHAMBER 22

MINE EXPLODING FROM GUNFIRE 39

MINE SWEEPERS' TROT AT SCAPA FLOW 39

BOXING CONTEST ON " BORODINO " 45

H.M. SHIPS " MALAYA," " VALIANT " AND " WARSPITE " ... 46

H.M. SUBMARINE " K2 " 46

" BORODINO " STAFF GOING ASHORE 64

" BORODINO " CONCERT PARTY REHEARSING 64

U.S.S. " NEW YORK," FLAGSHIP OF AMERICAN SQUADRON ... 67

U.S. SAILORS WAITING TO BOARD " BORODINO " 67

H.M.S. " BARHAM," FLAGSHIP OF STH BATTLE SQUADRON ... 73

JUMPING OFF FROM FOREPART OF H.M.S. " BARHAM " ... 73

PROGRAMME OF MUSICAL PLAY, " THE SECRET " 90

PREFACE.

On Thursday, October I5th, 1914, Mr. Warwick
Brookes (Managing Director) and Mr. C. G. Selie (General
Manager), of the Junior Army & Navy Stores, Ltd.,
attended at the Admiralty by special request, and were
received by : —

Capt. C. F. LAMBERT, R.N., Fourth Sea Lord.
Sir FREDERICK BLACK, Director of Navy Contracts.
J. H. BROOKS, Esq., Director of Victualling.
B. A. KEMBALL-COOK, Esq., Transport Department.

At this interview a proposal was made to place at the
disposal of the Stores a suitable Steamship for supplying
everything required to :—

Ward Room Officers' Messes.
Gun Room Officers' Messes.
Warrant Officers' Messes.

It was intended that the Vessel should be fitted with
a Grocery and Provision Shop, a Laundry, and also a
Hairdressing Saloon, the working of which the Stores
were to undertake and maintain. Since the Ship was
to be attached as an Auxiliary to the Grand Fleet, she
thus came under the directions of the Commander-in-
Chief.

Here, then, may be said to be the source of the greatest
enterprise ever undertaken by the Junior Army £ Navy
Stores, Ltd., concerning which the following narrative
and pictures will, it is hoped, prove interesting to our
many friends, and be treasured by not a few as a souvenir
ot the work accomplished.

CHAPTER I.

Subsequent to the interview referred to, after many
meetings had taken place between representatives of
the Admiralty and the Stores, a formal agreement was
signed, by which the Junior Army & Navy Stores, Ltd.,
became " Contractors to H.M. Grand Fleet," and finally,
in the following December, Mr. Warwick Brookes, Mr.
C. G. Selfe and the present writer, met representatives
of the Admiralty at the Victoria Docks, E., where, under
the guidance of her Master (Capt. W. J. Norton), we
were shown over the Steamship " Borodino," which was
to be our Storeship in the North Sea — for the duration
of the war.

She had been brought round from Hull in ballast,
and during our inspection of her upper and 'tween
decks and holds, her carrying capacity, due to her
very emptiness, at once astonished and appalled.
Here was a vessel that could swallow quite comfortably
the entire grocery stock of the Junior Army & Navy
Stores, and, like Oliver Twist, " ask for more." We
hinted as much to Mr. Warwick Brookes, who, however,
with that wonderful faculty he possesses of sizing up a
proposition on sight, replied " We are in for a big thing,
the ' Junior ' is no ordinary Stores, they are the people
to do it, so carry on."

Neither he nor any of those present realised at that
moment the years, and volume, of work ahead, or fore-
saw the welcome advent of the American Fleet, adding
so pleasantly to that labour; and not without justifiable
pride, all those responsible for the carrying out of this
important undertaking can rejoice in the knowledge that
the sanguine prophecy of our Managing Director was
fulfilled to the letter.

Since

"E'en the weariest river
Winds somewhere safe to sea,"

the following ." brief , tedious" details may find an
interested reader. The Steamship " Borodino " is
owned by the famous Ellerman-Wilson Line, of Hull,
the largest private Company of Shipowners in the world.
Launched in September, 1911, by Earle's Shipbuilding
Company, of Hull, she was constructed specially to run
between that port and Petrograd, and by connecting
with the new Siberian Railway, thus afford facilities for
the more speedy transit of cargo, chiefly eggs and butter,
to England. Gross tonnage 1,970 ; nett 1,074 > dead
weight 2,930 tons ; single screw, N.H.P. 179 ; indicated
H.P. i, 860 ; speed 12 J knots ; length 318 feet ; beam
42 feet. " Borodino " is fitted throughout with electric
light and has accommodation for 27 first-class passengers
and a crew of like number. Each cabin is provided with
a radiator, and from the cosiest of berths to the most
inviting of saloons, from well-appointed bath-rooms to
the last word in music rooms, nothing in the interests
of comfort has been left undone. Last, not least,
" Borodino " carries four lifeboats with a capacity for
90 persons, a provision which may mean so much for
" those who go down to the sea in ships," especially in
war time. The greatest feature of the vessel has yet
to be mentioned, her Captain (W. J. Norton, M.S.G.),

one of the finest masters who ever handled a ship,
and, as we were not long in discovering, at once the
bravest, most modest and lovable of men, who,
having been in command of " Borodino " from the
first, knew all her ways and how best to turn them to
advantage.

The Transport Department of the Admiralty took
over the work of reconstructing the "Borodino" inter-
nally, and an army of workmen was engaged night and
day for a fortnight. Every day we visited the ship in
company with officials 'and heads of departments of
}he Stores. The wonderful progress, hour by hour,
was as the unfolding of a gigantic transformation
scene.

Mr. K. P. Burgess, the Admiralty Chief Inspector of
Transport, in charge of operations, was untiring in his
efforts to effect any improvement, and to fit out the ship
to our requirements, and we desire to place on record our
Company's appreciation of his never-failing courtesy
and assistance.

At Head Stores we were interviewing and engaging
staff for the Grocery, Provision and Laundry Sections,
and ordering forward tons of merchandise, which was
all being listed and quoted in a special Price List, in
order that Officers and Messes for whom we were to
cater, might see at a glance what was stocked for their
benefit.

We could never learn where the " Borodino " was to
be stationed, except " somewhere in the North Sea,"
and whenever we inquired how many ships we were
expected to serve, or at what port we were to replenish,

or asked for any information which seemed vital to us,
always the same reply was forthcoming, viz.,

11 You will learn that when you get there."

The reader will immediately perceive the diffi-
culty with which we were confronted in gauging the
quantity of goods to be carried. We never before
worked so completely in the dark. However, the
winches screeched daily with the weight of our consign-
ments, and our staff on board toiled cheerfully, sorting
the packages and stowing away in departmental fashion.

The " Grocery Shop " was located in the 'tween deck
almost amidships, and supplied with four radiators,
which gave a lovely warmth all day ; and with just one
kept going all night, a fairly even temperature was main-
tained for the conditioning of cigars, &c. In the centre,
and parallel with three sides of the Shop, ran a counter
four feet wide, on a section of which were handsome
scales, and a huge white marble slab, both secured to the
counter to prevent slipping during the movements of
the ship ; whilst underneath the counter, all the way
round, were useful fixtures. At the back of the counters
solid deal fixtures were built to the sides of the vessel.
A booby hatch supplied with windows, and having a
wide stairway with double iron railing, formed the means
oi access from the main deck to the grocery shop. A
double row of wire-protected electric bulbs illuminated
the entire shop, and the visitor descending the hatchway
and entering through either of the two large doorways,
was amazed to find an up-to-date business establish-
ment in the 'tween deck of an ocean Liner.

Immediately below the shop was the chill room, kept
at a temperature never exceeding 24 degrees. Fitted

C/5

Face page 10.

with fixtures and electric light and massive cold room
doors, it was accessible all day for the sale of poultry,
game, rish, &c. Below the chill room was the freezer
proper. Here the bulk of our meat and provisions was
stored in a temperature never exceeding 16 degrees, and
our Staff worked clad in proper refrigerator coats.

Away at sea, and cut off from all shore communication,
\n collar and shirt verily become a luxury to the
Ofncers of our Fleet. Who has not felt the exhilarating
influence after a warm bath of a " clean shake down,"
pants, vests, socks, shirt, collar and handkerchief ? It
was to provide this necessary comfort, and perhaps
because " cleanliness is next to Godliness," that the
Admiralty included the Laundry on the " Borodino "
as part of their scheme. Located in the 'tween deck in
the after part of the steamer, it was supplied throughout
and fitted complete by Messrs. Bradford & Co, of Hoi-
born, London. As a matter of interest, the following
were the machines fixed : Two washing machines of 150
shirt capacity each ; one 18 inch shirt and collar machine;
one 72 inch Decoudin type Calender ; one 32 inch hydro
extractor ; one two-roller power mangle ; and six electric
irons. Fitted with spacious drying room, heated by
steam and air blast, and having rods ; also soiled linen,
packing and store rooms. The whole machinery driven
by one 10 H.P. motor. Thoroughly equipped and up-
to-date, it was, in point of fact, at that time the largest
floating laundry in the world. For this we had a special
price list, and notwithstanding the continuous increase
in cost of materials during the period of the war, our
original charges remained unaltered. No profiteering here.

The Hairdressing Saloon adjoined the Dining Saloon
on the main deck, port side, and was completely and

comfortably furnished in every detail. A Tariff was
fixed at London West-end prices, and these also remained
unchanged during the entire commission of " Borodino."

The reader will now have formed some idea of the
internal appearance of " Borodino," as she lay in the
Victoria Dock, London, E., towards the end of December,
1914, ready for sea. Two days before she sailed the
Fourth Sea Lord and representatives of the Admiralty
made an official inspection.

For the occasion, scores of packages were unpacked,
and in naval parlance we "dressed ship." ' Counters
and fixtures were arranged in a most artistic and appeal-
ing fashion, and the Staff in brand new white coats and
aprons were in their appointed places behind the coun-
ters, with a " business as usual " air.

The Fourth Sea Lord expressed his entire approval,
and wished everybody " good luck," whilst our own
Directors, who were also present, conveyed to the Staff
the pride they felt in their new branch.

On 3ist December, 1914, our storeship " Borodino,"
a ship of hope and comfort to the gallant Officers of His
Majesty's Grand Fleet, swung out of her cosy corner in
the Victoria Dock, anchored in the Thames that night,
and next day commenced her voyage. After steaming
past the Nore Lightship, Captain Norton, in accordance
with Admiralty instructions, broke open his sealed orders
when for the first time he learned that his destination

Face pags 12.-

was Scapa Flow in the Orkney Islands, and set his course
accordingly, via the West Coast.

Having been afforded the privilege of " fitting out "
" Borodino," our Contract with the Admiralty stipu-
lated that the present writer should go to sea with her
for a month, in order to personally organise the work
with the Fleet, and to see it well under way. With a
vast amount of detail to attend to, we did not sail in the
" Borodino," but in accordance with directions from the
Admiralty, left King's Cross by the 8 p.m. train for
Thurso (the northernmost point in Scotland), on Monday,
4th January, 1915, and arrived after a weary railway
journey of 24 hours. We immediately reported to the
Senior Naval Officer, Captain Wells (late Chief of the
London Fire Brigade), who received us in the kindliest
manner, and directed us to be in readiness to put to sea
at 6 o'clock the following morning. In response to the
inquiry as to our ultimate destination, Captain Wells
ejaculated " You will know when you get there."

We had heard that phrase before, and began to won-
der how long it took the Naval Authorities to learn it.

Tired, cold and hungry we put up at the Pentland
Hotel, and " struck oil " immediately. We were received
by the hostess with a smile of cordial welcome, the
pleasant memory of which still lingers. A dinner fit for
a king followed, and in a large bedroom warmed by a
roaring fire, the toil of the day and the five hours left
for sleep were soon things of the past.

Though up by 5 a.m., we had hardly finished breakfast
before the Government Contractor, Mr. Paterson, drove
up in his motor car to convey us to Scrabster Point,

where we at once embarked on the waiting Admiralty
steamer. In darkness and the teeth of a biting wind, the
ship ploughed her way through the water, bound for Long
Hope in the Orkney Islands.

Two hours later she was passing through the mine de-
fences, and went alongside H.M.S. " Imperieuse " — the
mail ship of the Grand Fleet. Having reported to the
Commanding Officer, we were at once transferred to a
North Sea Steam Drifter, on our way to H.M.S. " Iron
Duke," the flagship of the Commander-in-Chief, Admiral
Sir John (now Lord) Jellicoe.

In twists and turns the Drifter steamed its way
amongst the crowded craft, and through a narrow
channel called Weddel Sound into Scapa Flow. What
a sight ! Here, in long lines, as far as the eye could reach,
the Grand Fleet, " Britain's sure shield," rode peacefully
at anchor, as if war was unheard of.

" Like leviathans afloat,
Lay their bulwarks on the brine."

These were some of the mighty ships that were known
to be "somewhere in the North Sea," and perhaps it
would be well to record the position and names of those
ships, so far as we can now remember : —

A B

LINE. LINE.

" IRON DUKE." " BENBOW."

" EMPEROR OF INDIA." " BELLEROPHON."

" AGINCOURT." " TEMERAIRE."
" ERIN."

G D

LINE. LINE.

" KING GEORGE V." " ORION."

" AJAX." " THUNDERER."

" CENTURION."

H.M-S.."iIron^Duke," Flagship of Admiral Viscount Jellicoe.

3.S. " Borodino " and Collier alongside H.M.S. ". Emperor of India."
Face page 14.

E F

LINE. LINE.

" MARLBORO UGH." " ST. VINCENT."

" HERCULES." " SUPERB."

" COLOSSUS." " VANGUARD."

" NEPTUNE." " COLLINGWOOD."

The following Cruisers were also bunched together : —

" FALMOUTH." " BELLONA."

" BLONDE." " GLOUCESTER."

" YARMOUTH." " BLANCHE."

In addition to the foregoing, Destroyers, Depot re-
pairing Ships, Colliers, Oilers and ships of every class and
distinction were spread out for miles in every direction,
whilst outside, East and West of the Pentland Firth,
were scores of boats on Patrol duty, doing the ugliest
and dirtiest (in a Naval sense) work, albeit some of the
bravest and grandest, for our mighty Empire.

Once alongside " Iron Duke," we scrambled up the
rope ladder to be immediately made welcome by Com-
mander R. M. Bellairs, R.N., who conducted us below
and introduced us to the Captain-of-t he-Fleet, Commo-
dore (now Rear- Admiral) A. F. Everett.

It was whilst conversing with Admiral Everett that a
Signalman arrived with the intelligence " ' Borodino '
sighted, Sir. ' ' Thus by two hours we had arrived ahead
of our Steamer.

We then accompanied the Flag- Lieutenant, and while
he was inquiring the whereabouts of the Commander-
in-Chief, a cabin door suddenly opened, and we found
ourselves face to face with Admiral Jellicoe, the man
upon whose shoulders rested the safety of the Empire,
nay more, of the world.

There was little in the pleasing exterior of the Com-
mander-in-Chief to indicate the heavy burden resting
upon him, or giving a hint that already in his career he
had looked death in the face no less than thrice. With a
cordial handshake he bade us welcome in a soft, musical
voice, and the genial smile that lighted up his face at
once set us at ease. He discussed for some time, and
with deep interest, the work awaiting " Borodino." The
comfort of those serving under him was ever his chief
concern, and he realised the colossal task we had under-
taken.

The conversation then turned into other channels,
We handed the Admiral certain parcels entrusted to our
care by Lady Jellicoe, the honour of whose acquaintance
we had during our sojourn of seven years at Gibraltar,
One of the parcels contained a Broom with a silver plate,
whereon were engraved the hopes of his well wishers at
the Cape that he would sweep the German Fleet from the
seas ; as, in the event, came to pass.

With deepest interest Sir John followed our descrip-
tion of the scenes of activity which had turned his town
residence in Sussex Square into a second Junior Army &
Navy Stores ; for there, from early morning until far
into the night, Lady Jellicoe, assisted by a devoted band
of ladies, was tireless in sorting, packing and despatching
all sorts and conditions of creature comforts for the
" Boys in Blue " which, in response to her appeal, had
poured in from all parts of the British Isles.

With a parting handshake, we took leave of the
Admiral, cheered by his promise to visit and inspect
" Borodino " at the earliest opportunity, and proud and
happy in the fixed resolve to fulfil our promises.

Ascending to the upper deck we found that meantime
our ship had made fast to " Iron Duke," and a moment

Face page 17.

later we went aboard to congratulate the Captain, Officers,
Crew and Staff upon their safe arrival. The latter, with
two exceptions, had escaped sea-sickness ; all, had they
but known it then, instead of now for the first time,
escaped something far more dangerous. The night
before the arrival of " Borodino " at Scapa Flow, her
Captain decided to anchor in Dunnet Bay, and whilst
our ship rode comfortably at anchor, an enemy sub-
marine ran in and picked off one of our mine sweepers,
which was keeping the " Borodino " company on the
opposite side of the bay. A close shave for our Store
Ship.

As " Borodino " lay alongside the gigantic " Iron
Duke," the two ships were a source of wonderment to
their respective ship's companies, who were assembled on
the decks exchanging greetings and scraps of news.
Inquired one burly, big-chested Tar, of our little pantry
lad, " Ain't seen anythin' of those (adjective) Germans,
on the run up, 'ave yer ? Tell 'em I'm waiting ter 'ave
an interview with 'em, when you do come acrost them."

Our Laundry and Grocery Staffs were busy below
" licking things into shape." Our advent had been
known and talked about for some days, and the Officers
were very keen to visit us, when at 12.30 p.m., I received
word that the Commander-in-Chief was about to inspect
us. I passed word all round, got Captain Norton to
assemble his Officers, and presently Sir John Jellicoe
and Staff were seen coming toward our gangway, whilst
his gallant crew stood at attention, and in a moment the
Commander-in-Chief was the first, alike in time and
office, to set foot upon " Borodino," the only Officers'
Supply Ship with the Grand Fleet, a proud distinction
indeed. I had the honour oi introducing Captain Norton,
his Officers, and my two Managers to Sir John Jellicoe,
who shook hands with each, and a tour of inspection very

B 2

far from formal followed. With a keen, critical eye that
missed nothing, the Commander-in-Chief fired a broad-
side of questions, and soon made himself master of every
detail. He wanted to see, and indeed, saw everything.
The thoroughness of his inspection, coupled with his
charm of manner, greatly impressed everybody. Sir
John was good enough to express his appreciation, and
returned to his Flag Ship, and thus under the happiest
auspices the activities of " Borodino " began.

It has been suggested that had the Grand Fleet at
that moment realised the part " Borodino " was to play
in catering for its comforts, the following playful para-
phrase of Shakespeare would have been signalled upon
our arrival : —

" Now is the winter of our discontent
Made glorious summer by this HOUSE OF YORK."

Two hours later the Commodore of the Fleet (Admiral
A. F. Everett) and Staff made a tour of inspection, and
visits from numerous Flag Officers throughout the after-
noon followed. It was arranged that " Borodino "
should be open daily for business from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.,
these hours to be extended as the days lengthened. In
intelligent anticipation of a big rush of business the
morrow morn, the Staff were hard at work far into the
night.

Face page 19.

CHAPTER II.

The Staff had just time to turn in and turn out, for
on " Borodino " everybody was early astir, but only to
find that Jellicoe's lads had beaten them hollow. The
crew of " Iron Duke " had been up and about an hour
before, hosing, scrubbing and polishing, and the clean-
liness and brightness of everything on board bore testi-
mony to the efficacy of " elbow grease." At g o'clock,
the shrill notes of the bosn's whistle were heard
screeching throughout the ship, unintelligible orders
were yelled, and, like so many Jack-in-the-boxes, seamen
popped up from every hatchway, and mustered in com-
panies on the deck. As the roll was called by the Officers
each man answered to his name, and was handed a card,
upon which was printed a number of hymns. The ship's
bell then sounded for Church Service.

On the command " Roman Catholics fall out," men
of that faith broke ranks. The ship's band, which mean-
time had assembled, struck up " Onward, Christian
Soldiers," or some other favourite hymn, and forming
two deep, the men marched to the quarter deck, where
they formed three sides of a hollow square.

The Chaplain (or " Padre " as he is affectionately
known throughout the two Services), clad in surplice,

now took up his position, and was joined by the ship's
Officers. The order " off caps " having been given, a
hymn was announced, and to the accompaniment of the
ship's band, sung by the assembled company. A few
passages from the beautiful Book of Common Prayer
impressively read by the " Padre," were followed by
another hymn. Then came the order " on caps," and
the men doubled back along the deck, and having halted,
stood at attention.

Cold indeed must be the heart that is unmoved by the
simple solemnity of such a service, that is not impressed
by the reverent demeanour of the men, that is not touched
by the rich melody of music their singing affords. Far
from the busy haunts of men, where all that really matters
in life is apt to become crowded out, standing under the
wide dome of Heaven, and with but little between us
and the deep, in which, night and day, death, at the
hands of a ruthless enemy, is ever lurking, the reality of
what religion means comes home to us.

Each day throughout the year, on every battleship, this
simple but beautiful service is held ; and on a clear, still
morning, it was indeed good to be on " Borodino " and
hear borne across the waters from one giant battleship
the strains of " O, Day of Rest and Gladness," while from
another floated the words of " Rock of Ages," and from
other ships afar off came faint whisperings of other of
those grand old hymns which have taught our forbears
how to live, and in honoured old age, have faltered lov-
ingly upon their lips in death.

Let those,

" Who guarding, call not God to guard "

trust in the might of their right arm ; for our own part,
we are happy in the belief no Navy need ever fear defeat,

Face page 21 .

th;it, upon a righteous cause asks in all humbleness a
blessing from Him from whose hand alone comes victory.

Still standing at attention, the men in companies
received the order " off jerseys." At a signal from the
Commander, the ship's band struck up a march, and,
forming two deep, the crew swung along each side of the
deck, Officers bringing up the rear. A few moments
later the music quickened to " Rag Time," and the men
moved at the double. Watching these proceedings from
" Borodino," Captain Norton and the writer were in-
vited to fall in with the Officers, and shortly found our-
selves on the deck of " Iron Duke," doubling with
the best of them. Meantime, the Commander-in-Chief,
with telescope under his arm, and accompanied by his
Flag Lieutenant, paced briskly to and fro the quarter
deck, now and again glancing with critical eye towards
his officers and men as they doubled past him, full of
life and vigour. The music now slowed into a march
once more, and presently, at the sound of a bugle, a
welcome halt was called. A little later the men fell in
again for physical drill, and Captain Norton and myself,
already a bit stiff, deemed discretion the better part of
valour and retreated Borodinowards.

Our advent had been talked of amongst the Officers
for days ; now that we were actually in Scapa Flow, the
entire personnel were desirous of inspecting us, and

" Stood not upon the order of their coming,
But came at once."

Our port-side gangway had been lowered, and crowds
of pinnaces, bringing Officers, messmen and stewards,

steamed towards us from all directions. The staff had the
time of their lives. In half-an-hour the Laundry, if not
" snowed under " exactly, was chock-a-block with bags
of officers' washing, and the Laundry Manager, wearing
a worried look, observed, " There's enough work on hand
already to keep us going for a month, without taking in
any more."

It was amusing to observe how many of the Officers,
" turning to mirth all things of earth," found food for
fun in, of all places, our refrigerating chamber ! Here,
left alone, they would play for hours ; some at marbles
with frozen kidneys, others amusing themselves in
propping up frozen rabbits with the forepaw at the
salute. Their ingenuity was as amazing as their laughter
was infectious. Nor did " Borodino " escape their
shafts. With mock politeness more than one officer
thanked us for our presence as a protection against
torpedo attack, adding the hardly reassuring observation,
" Had a submarine got into the Flow you would have
' gone up ' " ! That fate, however, fell not to our ship,
but to the happy lot of her sales, which, from the first
day, exceeded the most sanguine expectations.

During the fortnight that followed one day was much
like another, and our stock, large as it was, had dwindled
so enormously that already we were preparing indents
upon Head Stores for replenishing the ship. Orders
came in by signal, or were delivered by the duty boats,
and in our third week we were compelled to interview
the Captain of the Fleet and request him to allow
" Borodino " to go to port to re-stock. The orders on
London had already been posted. Aberdeen was the
port selected for us, and before sailing we twice tele-
graphed to London, the first wire being " double all

Face page 22.

orders," the second one instructing them to " treble all
orders."

It very soon became noised about that " Borodino "
was leaving for port, as a result of which we were, as the
Yankees would say, " skinned." A few days before she
sailed we lay in the midst of a fearful gale, with both
anchors well spread, one at 90 and the other at 75. No
craft could possibly come near us, and about 10 p.m.,
when the elements were at their worst, searchlights began
to concentrate near the mailship " Imperieuse," and we
were startled to see H.M.S. " Roedean," the one-time
G.W.R. Channel Island Mail Steamer, had broken her
moorings and was drifting helplessly towards the mail
ship. Clad in oilskins and holding tight, for the gale
made it difficult to stand, we saw the " Roedean "
suddenly swing round and race past the port side of
" Imperieuse," cutting away as with a knife, gangways,
fenders, and everything that came in her way. She
next fouled the mailboat's anchorage chains, once more
swung round, commenced to fill, heeled over, -and finally
plunged below. The few members of her crew aboard
were miraculously saved through the undaunted courage
and daring of ships' crews, who had come to her rescue.

The whole catastrophe was vividly impressive, and we
immediately toured the cabins of the staff and impressed
on the men the absolute necessity of keeping their life-
belts handy ! A few days afterwards, Captain Norton
and the present writer went across to the Captain of the
Fleet for our sailing orders, and shall never forget Com-
modore Everett's instructions as he handed the orders
to the former.

" Now, remember, go full ahead all the way. Stop
for nothing, and when you get to Aberdeen, go right
through the hole, and don't muck about outside, or

you'll be bombed." The " hole " referred to is the
mouth of the harbour, which has to be approached care-
fully and slowly, on account of the pier, which acts like
a breakwater, and has to be rounded "hard aport."
With a small stock on board it was not difficult to make
ready for sea. Everything was levelled, and in due course
" Borodino " steamed out of Scapa Flow through the
mined entrance, full ahead for the "hole." It was a
filthy night, a dirty cross-sea running, and as we neared
our destination in the early hours of the morning, it was
blowing a gale from the north-east. The elements were
driving us forward at a knot faster than " Borodino "
was supposed to travel, for which, by the way, our Chief
Engineer, Mr. Smith, desired to take credit.

We clung to the bridge in the midst of a blinding
snowstorm, and under a pall of darkness visible, when
suddenly the Captain shouted through the megaphone,
" How's the log ? " No sooner had he heard the hurried
answer than he instantly telegraphed " half speed ahead,"
and lit a cigarette I To those who know that splendid
skipper this action signified much; for the Captain
never smoked upon the bridge save when occasion called
to put forth every ounce of his skill ; and never was it
more needed. A moment later came the cry of alarm
"Breakers ahead, sir!" Instantly the order "full
astern " was given. The good ship trembled from end
to end as she answered to the call of the engines as best
she could against the force of the waves hurling her
forward. For a moment the ship rolled badly ; the
crew clung to what they could to save themselves from
being swept into the sea, in which, at that moment,
nothing could live. After a moment or two, which
seemed eternity, the engines began to tell ; " Borodino "
paid off to port, but only in the very nick of time, for,
by but a few feet, she had missed hitting the end of the
stone pier off Girdleness Lighthouse.

Although thus narrowly escaping disaster " Boro-
dino's " troubles were not ended. Broadside on she
rolled to an alarming degree. Many of the staff had a
rude awakening which opened their eyes to the fact that
tlu-y \v« re no longer resting comfortably in their bunks,
but sprawling uncomfortably upon the floor. Having
d the " 'ole," at the first time of asking (and not
knowing of a better), there was nothing for it but to
make for the open sea. Before the ship had been brought
round again, daybreak had appeared. We signalled to
the lighthouse, and with the assistance of a pilot steamer
reached harbour in safety two hours later. When we
had stepped ashore the Captain seized the hand of the
present writer and feelingly exclaimed, " Old man, you
nor I have ever been nearer to kingdom come than a few
hours ago ! "

Thus ended the second escape of the Junior Army
cV Xavy Stores Supply Ship, the perils whereof were
speedily forgotten at the greetings of our good ladies
waiting to welcome us at the Waverley Hotel.

The adventure just narrated has been set forth, not
as an example of the hardships gladly undergone by the
" York House " staff, in the carrying out of their duties,
but as giving an idea of what the men in the Grand Fleet
had to face on so many occasions in their ceaseless labour
of keeping the seas free.

Of our stay in Aberdeen for the next ten days suffice
it to say that we found twenty- three railway trucks of
merchandise from Head Stores, and tons of other goods,
together with wines and spirits, from every corner of the
British Isles awaiting us. Thanks to Mr. A. Barclay,

the genial and courteous Goods Manager of the North
British Railway at the Granite City, who rose to the occa-
sion, and on this and every subsequent visit, left no stone
unturned to ensure speedy loading, and also to Captain
Laird, R.N., the Senior Naval Officer, who was ever
unfailing in his attention at all times, we were able to
clear in record time, and we hereby record our sincere
appreciation of their services, which rendered that happy
condition of things possible.

Advantage was taken of our stay at Aberdeen to have
" Borodino's " water tanks thoroughly overhauled and
cleaned, and every part of the ship inspected. We
" bunkered," and eventually returned to Scapa Flow
fully loaded.

It was estimated that it would take the Grand Fleet
all its time to deplete the stock inside of three months.
How accurate that forecast proved, and how well tht
Navy availed itself may be gathered from the fact thae
exactly twelve weeks later " Borodino " was again on
her way to Aberdeen to replenish.

CHAPTER III.

Steaming slowly through Scapa Flow we presently
saw our number hoisted on H.M.S. " King George V.,"
Flagship of the 2nd Battle Squadron, under the command
of the late Vice-Admiral Sir George Warrender. Once
alongside we received a warm welcome from her officers,
who found delight in the fact that we had returned with
a huge cargo and a greater variety of goods, as enume-
rated in a fresh issue of the " Borodino " price list.
Whilst the staff of the Junior Army and Navy Stores
were busily occupied opening cases and dressing counters
and fixtures for the opening on the morrow, we took the
opportunity of crossing to H.M.S. " Iron Duke " and
officially reporting our arrival to the Captain of the Fleet.

It was at this interview that Rear-Admiral A. F. Everett
designed the Junior Army & Navy Stores Flag, now as
well known as any on the seas. I was informed that
henceforward we should come under the command of
H.M.S. " King George V.," to which ship we immediately
returned, and interviewed Flag Capt. G. H. Baird.

Arrangements were made for " Borodino " to have a
proper anchorage in what is known as Gutter Sound,
right in the midst of the Destroyer flotillas. A weekly
programme was to be forwarded every Sunday afternoon
containing our orders for the ensuing week. From that

time onwards it was the practice for " Borodino *"• to
weigh anchor at 8 a.m. on four days each week, steam
through Gutter Sound into Scapa Flow, and proceed
alongside the ships allotted for the day. We were open
for business from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., when " Borodino "
would cast off, steam back to her anchorage, and reopen
for the destroyers and small craft each evening. Two
days per week — namely, Wednesdays and Saturdays —
she remained in Gutter Sound and Longhope respectively.
When alongside a battleship we were open only to the
ships of that squadron, except if a " stunt " was im-
minent, when we were open to the entire Grand Fleet.
Such were the arrangements made by Flag Capt. G. H.
Baird, and which prevailed as long as " Borodino " was
in commission.

Made fast to a battleship daily, and on the other side
crowded with pinnaces, motor boats, whalers and craft
of all kinds, " Borodino " indeed presented a scene of
animation from without ; while from within the travail
of business was equally manifest. Below the Shop and
Laundry were crowded with officers and messmen, while
on deck winches worked willingly hauling up poultry,
game, groceries, provisions, &c., and dropping them into
the craft waiting alongside. At times when " Boro-
dino " lay in Gutter Sound as many as fifteen drifters
made fast to her on either side have repeatedly been
counted, not to mention scores of smaller craft patiently
awaiting their turn.

Although an enormous and varied stock was kept on
" Borodino," it was only natural that officers should
inquire for articles not available on demand ; but as we
undertook to supply everything " from an elephant to
a shirt -button," special orders were recorded and mailed
nightly to Head Stores. These goods, together with
weekly consignments, were despatched at first by rail to

Aberdeen, care of The Naval Store Orfio p, ;

Admiralty store carrier to " Borodino." As the
grew in size, so the work at Aberdeen increased
considerably ; thus stores for the Fleet there tecame
very congested, and delays frequently occurred in
despatching our cases. It was, therefore, decided to rail
everything from London to Leith, and ship by North of
Scotland Steamship Co. direct to Kirkwall, at which port
our cases were collected and conveyed by road to Scapa
Pier, thence per drifter to " Borodino." In this way
officers received their special orders very promptly, and,
as a matter of interest, goods despatched by this route
often reached '' Borodino " within six days.

It was at first considered that weekly consignments
could be despatched more expeditiously by another line
to Thurso, thence per Admiralty mail steamer to " Boro-
dino " ; but on making enquiries of a contractor we were
warned against the delays that might occur, and given
particulars of an occurrence, which we will record just
as we heard it, without guaranteeing its accuracy.

A corpse had been despatched by rail from a town in
the south to another in the north for interment. The
mourners assembled at the station to meet the appointed
train ; but upon its arrival were informed, to their horror
and amazement, that the coffin was not to be found, nor
were there any tidings of its whereabouts.

There being no further train that day the funeral party
dispersed ; but was present the following day to meet the
only two trains stopping at that station ; but in vain.
Officials telegraphed up and down the line, and, in view of
" nothing doing," the corpse was given up as lost ! Srrm-
days later, at a centre for naval stores, a covered railway

van was urgently required ; but no sooner had a sailor
entered one than he bolted for dear life : Upon examina-
tion it was found to contain the missing coinn ! It
appears that the van had been uncoupled, side-tracked
with others, and thus turned adrift. " Not lost, but
gone before."

Some few officers considered that we should keep
everything on " Borodino." One demanded sheet
music ! Another was indignant when informed that we
kept neither screws nor bolts ! A captain once enquired
for picture frames, and considered that " Borodino "
should have a large selection, " as every officer in the
Fleet has the picture of a girl in his cabin." He looked
startled when it was suggested that if he would give the
size of the required frame we would get our ship's car-
penter to make one specially for him. It is astonishing
what a ship's carpenter can turn out, and, without
divulging secrets, we can recall one ship on which many
articles of furniture were made that would have done
credit to the Furniture Department of the Junior Army
& Navy Stores !

" Borodino " carried an enormous stock of wines,
spirits, liqueurs, tobaccos, cigars and cigarettes, which
were stocked in a specially constructed room under lock
and key. These particular goods were sold duty free
upon production of Customs Form 64, and, beyond
question, the officers appreciated to the full the privilege
thus afforded.

For officers and men of the Fleet, life at Scapa Flow
(that cave of all the winds and home of foul weather) was
apt to become monotonous ; on the whole, however, this
time of tedious tension was cheerfully borne. But since,
in the absence of the enemy, they must kill something,

if only time, a neighbouring island was pushed into ser-
where a golf course was laid out, football fields
provided, and pitches were prepared for the cricketer
(no longer known as the " flannelled fool ") who came
gladly by his own. Some of the senior officers employed
themselves pleasantly in playing golf one part of the day,
and in talking about it the remainder. Younger mem-
bers of the Service forgot their bruises in the thought of
goals kicked, or wore their caps at a rakish angle after
having knocked up " some score " at the King of Games.

For all these sports " Borodino " supplied, on demand ;
the necessary requisites. So also in the choice of mascots.
Though " few can abide a gaping pig," or favour " a
harmless, necessary cat," the resources of natural history
had to be greatly drawn upon in supplying the various
demands. Dogs, birds, ferrets and " other wild fowl "
were in great request ; and at times the Stores' train
steaming into the station at Aberdeen might well have
been mistaken for a travelling menagerie. The am-
bition of one Destroyer soared as high as a monkey of
generous proportions, and the Stores were able to rise to
the occasion. Thanks to the playful pranks of the
animal in question, there was never a dull (or restful)
moment for the man told off to look after her on the long
railway journey. Our interest ceased when once we had
" delivered the goods." How " Jenny " conducted
herself in her new home is another story.

From the very beginning a special intimacy existed
between " Borodino " and " King George V." We were
regarded as " one of the family," and often availed our-
selves of its ever-open door. While we were welcome on
any ship throughout the Grand Fleet, and thoroughly
enjoyed every visit paid, there was not quite the same

feeling of intimacy ; nor is the reason far to seek. Much
of the undoubted success of " Borodino " was due to the
work of, and arrangements made by, the Flag Captain
of that battleship, G. H. (but better known and loved
throughout the Fleet as " Jock ") Baird, R.N., who,
apart from his seamanship, is a born organiser, and,
moreover, a sound business man. The greater the
difficulty the more the pains taken to overcome it ; and
he not only issued orders but also saw to it that they were

carried out.

* * * *

One day as " Borodino " lay aside " King George V.,"
with instructions to remain fast all night, we decided to
invite her officers to dinner and entertain them after-
wards with a concert. Our able chief steward (Mr.
Christian) prepared his best menu, and his best can be
very good indeed. With evening came our guests.
Captain Norton presided. For a time all was well ; but
the third course and a signalman made a dead heat.
The latter bore the following message for Commander
Goldie : " Fleet at two hours' notice." Eager looks
were exchanged. There was a feeling in the air that
there was " something doing," eyes lighted up that, had
there been, might have closed in death ere morning came.
" Had the German Fleet ventured out at last ? " inquired
one of another. The thought seemed too good to be true.
Presently another message was handed in: " Raise
steam for 18 knots." By now everyone was on the tip-
toe of excitement, and the stewards got a move on with
the remaining courses. Meantime messmen, as if by
magic, swooped aboard and made hurried and heavy
purchases, the shop being specially thrown open for this
purpose, and it was well they did so, for with the third
message : " Ships report when ready for sea," our guests
had flown ; our Captain received hurried orders to " push
off as soon as possible " and " Borodino " slipped and,

as best she could, threaded her way through the Fleet,
in the pitch dark, and finally dropped anchor at the north
side of Scapa Flow, at the hour when our guests should
ha\v reluctantly taken leave, happy in the thought —

" The night has been filled with music,

And the cares that invest the day

Have folded their tents like the arabs,

1 as silently stolen away."

They and their brave companions of the Grand Fleet
were miles out to sea, and when morning broke, " Boro-
dino," like Alexander Selkirk, was monarch of all she
surveyed.

In July, 1915, the King visited the Fleet at Scapa.
Tlu- Junior Army & Navy Stores was entrusted with the
order for most of the delicacies for His Majesty's table
on H.M.S. " Iron Duke." We went across to Thurso
in the Admiralty Mail Steamer for the purpose of re-
ceiving and taking charge of the consignment from Head
Stores, which was despatched by the mail train.
Although the King's visit was a dead secret in the Fleet,
yet on reaching Thurso we found the town was agog
with excitement, and we witnessed His Majesty's passage
through the crowded streets to Scrabster Pier, where
H.M.T.B. " Oak " was waiting to convey him across the
Pentland Firth. On the following day we received an
invitation, and on reaching H.M.S. ''King George V.,"
Captain Norton and the present writer were made
Honorary Members of the Ward Room Mess, fell in with
the officers, and with them had the honour of passing
before His Majesty.

C 2

CHAPTER IV.

In the Junior Army & Navy Stores' hairdressing
saloon it was always a case of " house full." On the
door a waiting list was fixed daily, on which officers
would record their names and ascend to the lounge and
there wait until called. A certain " Padre " had a
playful practice of recording his name always at the top,
and it was amusing to hear officers explain, after con

suiting the list. "Well, I'm . I could have sworn I

was No. 4 on the list, but find I am No. 5 ! " The
" Padre's " fraud was never discovered, nor was it be-
trayed ; thus he always returned to his drifter after
having spent but a few minutes on " Borodino ! "

A certain Admiral suffered badly from corns, which,
however, he was not disposed to exhibit to prying eyes
in the saloon, and often when " Borodino " had received
orders to " push off " from a battleship at the close of
the day he would arrive alongside in his barge for the
Stores' hairdresser (who was also an excellent chiro-
podist) to attend to him. Over and over again an
excited commander would board " Borodino " and

exclaim : " Why the d 1 aren't you pushing off ? "

when it had to be whispered to him that " Admiral -
is having his corns cut," upon which the commander
would beat a hurried retreat. Most of the battleships
contained hairdressers, men who had joined the Fleet

from civil occupation for the duration of the war. It
is well that this was so, for we could never have attended
the whole of the officers of the Grand Fleet.

To the Light Cruisers, Destroyer Flotillas, Mine
Sweepers and Submarines " Borodino " was a godsend,
as many of the officers have since testified. On the two
days a week when " Borodino " was anchored in Gutter
Sound and Longhope, officers from the ships mentioned
literally swarmed on board. These were the men for
whom especially we all had warm corners in our hearts.
Kept ever on the move, nearly always out, no matter
what the weather, cooped up in their tiny ward rooms,
scarcely large enough to swing a cat in, it was a relief for
them to visit us, and it was part of the policy of the
Junior Army & Navy Stores to receive these gallant
fellows with open arms always, and from a social point of
view to do everything to bring sunshine into their
existence. Accordingly, an open invitation was ever
given for them to join us at lunch or tea, and to come
across of an evening, whenever possible, for a little music
and singing.

Many pleasant evenings were spent in this manner,
many dinners were given in their honour, and we
gratefully record that in return they often fetched us
in their motor boats and gave us many happy times
in their cramped ward rooms. One evening an officer
presented himself about eight o'clock and asked " Have
they come yet ? " When asked to whom did he refer,
he replied, "Oh, the flotilla- is having a dance here
to-night," and, to our utter astonishment, mentioned
that he had received the following signal from one of the
destroyers : " Rendezvous ' Borodino,' nine o'clock,
music and dancing."

No one on " Borodino " knew of this arrangement ;
but although we felt that he had been " sold, "he was

invited to remain. Half an hour later the Quarter-
muster came rushing in to the saloon, exclaiming :
" There's a boat race coming up the Sound ; step out
and have a look at them, sir." We ran out to the stern
of " Borodino," and sure enough five dinghys, crowded
with officers, were pulling towards us for dear life.
Imagining it to be a boat race, we shouted encourage-
ment as they flew by our stern. The next minute, how-
ever, they made fast to our gangway, and about 30
excited officers found their way to the music saloon, and
commenced their " music and dancing." When those in
authority appeared they all burst out laughing, and the
senior officer apologised : " Hope you don't mind ; but
we are ' fed up ' on board, and this is the only ' hotel *
in the neighbourhood ! " They had brought a gramo-
phone, and with this and the piano going sang and danced
until past midnight.

When the time for departure arrived there were only
four dinghys at the gangway, one of the officers having
stolen back to his ship alone (merely for the joke of the
thing) , leaving the others to return to their ships as best
they could in the available boats. As they pushed off
we wondered how they would ever reach their respective
ships ; but given such light-hearted, merry, magnificent
men we felt sure they would.

One busy Saturday afternoon while at anchor in Gutter
Sound we witnessed a very gallant action on the part of
one of these very men who by day and by night carried
their lives in their hands. A Captain was preparing to
descend the rope ladder over our starboard side at a
minute when the ship was swaying in a half gale. We
jocularly remarked, "Be careful, Captain, as you go
down," to which came the laughing reply : " Am I going
down this blinking ladder or are you ? " He took one
more step, a gust of wind caught the ladder, and the next

moment the Captain, missing his footing, fell into the sea
between " Borodino " and his drifter. Our skipper was
down the ladder after him like a cat ; we seized a lifebuoy
and ropes to throw over ; but meantime a submarine
officer, witnessing the accident, instantly dived, fully
clothed, got under the drowning man, and, with a fierce
upper cut, turned him over, face uppermost, whilst the
crew of the drifter leaned over the side, and, not without
great difficulty, hauled the Captain aboard. In the
excitement we had forgotten the submarine officer, who,
meantime, swam quietly round to the other side of the
drifter and got aboard unaided. We invited this gallant
officer to come on " Borodino " for a rub down and a
change of clothing. He, however, brushed our invitation
laughingly aside with the remark : " Thanks, ever so
much, old chap ; but really it's nothing. We do this
everyday. It's only another bath." We \vere enjoined
not to mention the incident, and thus his noble action,
like thousands of others which the naval officer regards
merely as part of his daily routine, went unrecorded.

The Junior Army & Navy Stores was never closed to
the destroyers and mine sweepers, which came and went
at all hours of the day and night, Sundays included. An
officer in a whaler found his way to " Borodino " at
10.30 o'clock one evening in absolute darkness. His ship
had only returned from a " sweep " half an hour pre-
viously, and four eggs in the ward room represented
the wealth of her stores. Two members of the Junior
Army & Navy Stores' staff were routed out of bed, the
shop was opened, and half an hour past midnight the
officer pushed off from " Borodino " laden with groceries,
provisions, meat and poultry sufficient to keep his ward
room in comfort for another week. Four hours later
his ship put to sea once more, with her officers light
in their minds at the knowledge that their larder
was full.

i1'

Facff page 39.

( )ri several occasions we anchored in the Mine Sweepers'
Trot, ;.\v liting their arrival at 9 and 10 p.m., when we
were crowded with officers and their stewards, and often
worked long past midnight, for before morning the
pen had to be away. These men led an arduous
liir. fraught with great danger, and yet what a cheery
( m\vd they were ! No one could but be struck with the
shell-like construction of these mine sweepers. Com-
menting on this when dining on " Delphinium " one
night, her gallant Commander remarked : " Well, old
chap, what can you expect ? These packets are only
made to blow up ! " With the knowledge that their frail
craft might at any moment strike a mine and blow up,
these lion-hearted men were entirely indifferent to all
idea of danger, and so long as the grub was good and
plentiful, were supremely happy. This was exactly
where the Junior Army & Navy Stores came in. We
saw to it that every conceivable commodity likely to
bring comfort to them was always available. Yet to
deliver goods to these ships was at times a very difficult
matter.

The weather during Christmas, 1915, was abomin-
able, a heavy sea running and gales of wind blowing
for days together. On Christmas Eve our number
was hoisted on several of the smaller craft around
us ; but it was almost impossible to go to their aid.
However, we decided at last to make an attempt. Our
drifter was signalled to come alongside us, but she carried
away every hawser, and had to lay off whilst goods were
swung out to her by our crane. In this manner she took
on board quite a few orders. We watched her go along-
side the first mine sweeper. After fruitless attempts to
make fast, a huge sea nearly lifted her on to the deck of
the other vessel, and she fell back into the trough of the
sea, bringing down a lifeboat and davits from the mine
sweeper, the commander of which shouted to our skipper :

" You had better shove off. You have done £200 worth
of damage to us already. We must go without our
grub." Our skipper replied : " Sorry, sir, but I reckon
the damage to my boat will cost -fioo," and the drifter
returned to us. We could only shout to the skipper :
" Go into the bay and anchor, and come to us again with
the mails to-morrow morning."

The following day (Christmas Day), the gale having
moderated somewhat, our drifter made another attempt,
and this time was successful in delivering her goods.
We saw to it that these ward rooms had turkeys, plum
pudding, crackers, mincemeat and everything to remind
them of Christmas. That night they vanished once
more, silently into the great North Sea, bound upon
their hazardous duty.

One day we were allotted to H.M.S. " — — ."
Some little time after we had been alongside the Com-
mander came aboard to inquire if we had sold any liquor
to his men, as he had found several quite drunk, and
could not understand it. He was informed that we had
sold a quantity of Wrincarnis (there being no restriction),
and it was then discovered that the men had mixed this
with the " tot " of rum. As the Commander said,
" Wincarnis by itself might be all right — but mixed with
rum, it's the very devil ! " This ship was afterwards
always known to our staff as H.M.S. " Wincarnis !"

The first time of going alongside a certain battleship
her Captain was greatly impressed with our display of
fruit and vegetables, which was always a particular
feature of the Junior Army & Navy Stores' shop, fresh
and varied consignments being received weekly. With
a wonderful regard for the health of his men, he expressed
a wish that two hours in the afternoon might be specially
set aside wherein they might come aboard and make

purchases. Over 800 men were served, piles of rhubarb,
onions, cabbages. &c., disappearing as if by magic, until
our large stock was exhausted. We were thanked
heartily for granting this privilege, which was repeated
on each subsequent visit, and the ship ultimately became
known to our staff as H.M.S. " Vegetable Marrow " !

Both H.M. ships " Wincarnis ' and "Vegetable
Marrow " are afloat to-day, and under the new Admiralty
distribution scheme will be sailing in different parts of
the globe.

CHAPTER V.

For officers of the Grand Fleet, " Borodino " was a
general rendezvous, a sort of playground where every-
one wore a smile. There was an air of freedom, un-
restraint and pleasure about them all, and an officer on
one ship desirous of meeting a pal from another would
make an appointment for " Borodino," as naturally as
in town two friends arrange to meet in Piccadilly Circus.
Thus old friends met, and acquaintance ripened into
friendship.

The latest news was discussed with an occasional
washing of dirty linen on deck to keep the laundrymen
below from feeling lonely. " Borodino " was the whis-
pering gallery of the service, and at times ran a very
good fourth to the great trio of news spreaders : "Tele-
graph, telephone, and tell a woman." One afternoon
a buzz went round that a certain Dreadnought was
leaving for Invergordon on the following Thursday. As
" Borodino " was due to go alongside the battleship in
question on that very day, we hastened across to the
Admiral for instructions. He disclaimed all knowledge
of the arrangement, and, calling for his messenger,
rapped out,

" Boy, just go to the - Secret Department and

inquire if we shall be moving on Thursday."

To his utter amazement the lad immediately saluted
and exclaimed

" Invergordon, sir."

" All right," said the Admiral, " go and find out."

The boy vanished ; a few moments later he reappeared
and repeated his former statement,

" Invergordon, sir."

"Well, I'm - — !" exclaimed the Admiral, dis-
missing the lad, and, turning, laughingly added,

" What do you think of it ? Here am I, Admiral,
and yet don't know the movements of my own
ship ! "

Lest a wrong opinion might be formed we hasten to
assure the reader that on matters of movement the Grand
Fleet was as silent as the grave. In many battleships,
alike in the British Fleet and that of America, some
variation of the following lines is known by heart : —

' ' A wise old owl lived in an oak,
The more he saw the less he spoke ;
The less he said, the more he heard ;
Try to copy that wise old bird."

And it is to the credit of both officers and men that
the secrets of the Fleet's movements were so well
kept.

Mention has already been made of football, cricket
and golf. There were many other means of recreation

Face page 45.

in addition adopted by the officers of the Grand Fleet,
including deck hockey, quoits and medicine ball exer-
in which latter the Commander-in-Chief himself
often indulged. Some of the higher administrative
: tempted gardening on the islands. One went
to start a piggery. None of them, however,
cry successful, the ground being unsuited for
cultivation. One or two jetties or piers were built to
the islands more accessible, and had the war con-
tinued for a few years more, no doubt we should have
witnessed the erection of dwellings rejoicing in the names
Jellicoe Villas," " Leveson Terrace," " Beatty's
Bungalows," &c., in fact, the possibility of this was
hinted by an Admiral.

Boxing is the delight of the Navy no less than of the
Army. A portable platform was provided by the
authorities, and often erected on the fore deck of " Boro-
dino," where we have witnessed some very fine bouts
between the various champions of the Grand Fleet.
Other encounters have combined a double part to play,
that of at once settling differences, and promoting better
feeling on the lower deck. Two stokers may have had
a difference ; the one perhaps (like his mate in the famous
story) maintaining that " 'e oughter 'ave married 'er,"
the other, peradventure, dissenting ; thence to heated
argument and blows is a non-stop run. At eight bells
(12 noon) these worthies would be ordered to meet on
deck with the gloves, and fight out their quarrel, to the
intense amusement of, and under a running fire of witty
comments from, the ship's company assembled round
the improvised ring. When the petty officer who
attended to see fair play considered that each malcontent
had punched the other sufficiently long and hard, he
cried, " That's enough " ; the men shook hands, honour
was satisfied, everybody grinned, the crowd vanished ;
but though we witnessed many such encounters we

could never determine who left the ring victor or
vanquished.

The sister ship of " Borodino," viz., s.s. " Gourko,"
was named the " Theatre Ship/' as her 'tween deck
for'ard was utilised for that purpose. Many excellent
shows have been given on board by ships' companies,
for the benefit of the entire Fleet, and we have seen per-
formances that would have done credit to many a London
house. We remember particularly one such performance
by the officers of H.M.S. " Iron Duke." The acting and
mounting were excellent indeed, and one would never
have dreamt that the " ladies " on the stage were in
reality some of the " snotties " of the flagship ! During
the performance the Commander-in-Chief himself kept
going and coming quietly, visiting his room in case of the
receipt of urgent messages, and whilst he was apparently
enjoying the play before him, it was difficult to realise
that he- was engaged in the greatest play in the world,
in which he was the principal actor.

Admiral Lord Jellicoe was loved by all ratings in the
Fleet. We may go even further, and say he was wor-
shipped ; and hundreds of times have we heard officers
proclaim him the greatest sailor that ever trod the deck
of a warship.

The Battle of Jutland (which to-day with the appear-
ance of Lord Jellicoe 's historic chronicle bids fair to
develop into a second Battle of Books) was discussed
afterwards throughout the Fleet and on " Borodino "
for weeks, and every argument and explanation we
listened to confirmed our conviction that the disposition
of the Grand Fleet was wonderfully conceived and mar-
vellously carried out, and that no living man, having at
stake the safety of our great Empire, could have done
more than was achieved by Lord Jellicoe.

^ >„

H/SADI.EK. Copyright. H.M.S. " BAKHAM."

H.M. Ships " Malaya," " Valiant " and " Warspite " in rough sea.

H.M. Submarine " K2."

Face page 46

With mingled feelings of pride at our great victory
and of sorrow for those whom we might never meet
again, we watched the return of the Grand Fleet ;
now cheering ourselves hoarse at the sight of a familiar
;md now famous ship, and anon, straining our eyes in
vain for another which, with all aboard her, had been
but part of the heavy toll that even victory may
demand. The present writer missed many dear friends
from among the noble fellows of the Grand Fleet, whom
he will never forget.

it would be difficult to find a spot on the face of the
globe where greater gales come and go with such sudden-
ness and violence as at Scapa Flow. A regatta was
synonymous with bad weather, although always held in
the middle of the " summer."

On June 5th, 1916, the weather was terrible, and
this day H.M.S. " Hampshire," with Lord Kitchener
on board, was lost. Before leaving the Grand Fleet
" Hampshire " was only some 400 yards away from
" Borodino." We knew ah1 her officers, from Captain
Savill downwards, and they visited us repeatedly
on the last afternoon. We supplied large quantities
of goods for the trip to Russia, and knew, of course,
everything that was going on. After the catastrophe we
witnessed the arrival at a hospital ship of over 80 bodies,
and were present at the funeral at Lyness, which was
attended by detachments from each ship in Scapa,
and often on Sunday afternoon Captain Norton and
the present writer have visited the well-kept little
cemetery.

Only one boat was salved from the "Hampshire, "from
which we secured a plank, and had a cross made, bearing
a silver plate as a memento of the sad event. We hold
a certificate from the Captain of the ship to which this

boat was brought, authenticating the wood. Strange
that the one man who foresaw that the war would prove
a matter of some years, was not spared to see his prophecy
fulfilled.

CHAPTER VI.

Before going to sea for the Admiralty and the Junior
Army & Navy Stores in s.s. " Borodino," our knowledge
of laundry work was limited to the knowledge that 4d.
was charged for a shirt, gd. a dozen for handkerchiefs,
and Jd. each for collars. What we don't know about
laundries to-day, however, as the boy said, " ain't worth
knowin' ! " The machinery was fully tested before the
ship was commissioned, but it can be easily understood
that when once at sea, with the washing machines loaded,
screws and bolts loosened, belts pulled, and something
went wrong almost every hour.

Day after day our laundry manager received bags
by the hundred, and with accidents happening, he
began to lose control of himself, until the mere sight
of a marine with washing bag in hand, nearly turned
his head, and he would lock the doors of the laundiy
on the inside to prevent further intrusion of washing.
Every night he came to us with tales of woe, and it
must be admitted that the difficulties at first were
great. In addition we soon discovered that the steam
from the washing machines condensed on the cold
deck overhead during the night and dropped on to
the finished work, so that the day's work was entirely
ruined.

D 2

Another difficulty arose through the water supply,
which was contained in tanks. Naturally, the move-
ments of the ship caused a discoloration in the water,
the effect being that although the clothes were washed
clean enough, they often assumed a khaki colour. With
difficulties daily arising, it was only natural that officers
should wonder when they were likely to get the return
of their washing, and such signals as these were received :

" From Commander to Mr. Allen, ' Boro-
dino.' Am I ever likely to receive my washing ? "

From Paymaster " Where are my confounded

pants ? "

From Lieut. " Could you possibly dye my

washing a shade darker than khaki ? Am coming
over"

We only hope that the signal books recording our
replies have been destroyed. The final words of the
last signal conveyed a veiled threat, which came to
nothing, however, when the officer found us awaiting
him with a smile of generous proportions.

In conversation with the malcontents the observa-
tion, "We charge you nothing extra for colouring your
washing,'' suggested a bargain, and always allayed ill
feeling.

Eveiything was taken in good part, however, by these
splendid fellows, and indeed, when dining in the Ward
Room of " Iron Duke " on one occasion, the officers
expressed their pleasure (?) at receiving their washing
"khaki coloured," one exclaiming that it " Would be a
souvenir of the great war, and should indeed be handed
down to posterity as showing how well they were looked

after ! " It also, of course, recalled the brave fellows
doing their bit in the trenches. Thus was khaki every-
where !

When difficulties were too great for our Chief Engineer,
Mr. Smith, or the Manager to solve, recourse was had to
Flag-Captain G. H. Baird, who always came to the rescue,
and in due course, at the suggestion of his carpenter, a
bulkhead was erected the entire length of the laundry,
separating the washing machines, additional ports and
\ 'iit-holes were made to allow the steam to escape.
Furthermore, wooden troughs were made and suspended
from the cold water pipes, and thus difficulty after diffi-
culty vanished into thin air. Not so with the water,
however.

It was Captain Baird's orders that each battleship
we went alongside should supply 30 tons of fresh
water, and on many occasions we discovered that the
water taken in contained grease and other component
parts not bargained for. This difficulty was got over
at a later period by having a huge tank filter supplied
on the upper deck, over the laundry, through which all
water had to pass. Thus our difficulty under this
heading vanished, as did all others in due course. Hence-
forth, the laundry gave universal satisfaction, but it was,
of course, always too small to deal with the washing of
the entire Fleet. Each officer's washing was tied up in
brown paper parcels, packed in waterproof lined hampers
and fetched by ships' pinnaces, or was delivered by our

own drifter.

* * * *

On November 7th, 1915, H.M.S. " Albemarle " crept
into Scapa Flow almost a wreck. She had encountered
terrific weather, and off the Pentland Skerries nearly
foundered. Her fore bridge and upper works had been
washed away, with the loss of her gallant navigating

officer and others, and she presented a pitiable spectacle,
It was a wonder that she had survived. A mountainous
sea had swamped her, and before she could recover,
another green sea made its home on board, and in some
way caused the siren to sound, so that no orders could
be heard.

We understand that it was only the marvellous
heroism of her engine-room staff, who went below and
managed to cut off the steam, that removed the peril.
Superb seamanship eventually triumphed, and the ship
made Scapa Flow in safety. Shortly after her arrival
the Captain of the Fleet sent us an earnest request to do
everything possible to dry the ship. " Borodino " was
soon alongside " Albemarle," and working the laundry
staff two days and two nights continuously, in eight-
hour shifts, we dealt with many thousand pieces of sodden
clothing, bedding and gear of all description, and thus
restored comfort to the stricken ship. In such circum-
stances, it was felt that the Junior Army & Navy Stores
should charge nothing for the privilege of attending her,
and in due course, in reply to our report to the Com-
mander-in-Chief , received the following : —

" H.M.S. ' IRON DUKE/

20th November, 1915.
u Dear Sir,

" I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter
of the I5th instant, and am grateful to yourself
and the staff on board ' Borodino ' for the assist-
ance given to H.M.S. 'Albemarle,' and I shall be
much obliged if you would be good enough to
convey my most cordial thanks to the Directors of
the Junior Army & Navy Stores.

" Yours faithfully

" (Signed) J. JELLICOE."

One day as " Borodino " lay at anchor, we were visited
by two sisters from the hospital ship then in harbour.
They were very interested in all they saw, and promptly
lost their hearts to the laundry. In time they became
frequent and welcome visitors, and on one occasion,
summoning up courage, one of them inquired whether
we would undertake laundering for her. " Being," as
George Graves would say, " a married man myself," we
gladly undertook the commission, provided the parcel
was privately and personally addressed. There would be
" some buzz " if this business were bruited abroad. In
due course the parcel arrived.

In order to ensure privacy we arranged that the
head ironer should undertake the work, at a special
remuneration, after business hours. While busy
writing one evening about 9 o'clock, the saloon door
suddenly opened, and two excited officers, bubbling
over with mirth, burst into the room. " Say, old
chap," exclaimed one of them, " what will you take
for those - in the laundry ? " As ill luck

would have it these worthies in pursuit of their washing
had butted into the laundry at the psychological moment
when the head ironer was putting the finishing touches
to some very delicate lace insertion ! Thus it began.
The next day we received a letter from a commander of
a destroyer, begging, at any figure, for the garment in
question. Whether he wished to make his wife a present
or to retain it as a mascot we cannot tell. If to decorate
the masthead of his ship in battle, he had surely for-
gotten that the British Fleet never flies the white flag !
There was " nothing doing," and in course of time
the hospital sister thanked us for the " quiet and
beautiful way " in which the work was done. She little
knew.

The fame of our laundry was borne upon the breeze,
and even inspired poets, as witness the following extract
from " Town Topics," of December 4th, 1915 : —

" To the controlling powers of certain of our con-
temps, we recommend the motto of a certain merry
little naval paper :—

" Nought herein comes from the spleen-o,

Nor we wash our linen dirty,
Like the bloomin' ' Borodino,'

So dear readers, don't get shirty."

CHAPTER VII.

It is strange that while in only one respect — cleanliness
— the midshipman of to-day is the superior of the sea-
cubs of yore who, in manhood, played so big a part in the
building-up of the British Empire, the ancient name of
reproach (which the absence of a pocket gave rise to),
still clings to the members of the Gun Room Mess. But,
after all, what's in a name ? The " snotty " of to-day
is a magnificent little man, making up in pluck and grit
what he lacks in inches. He is daring even to fool-
hardiness, and what his superiors dare do, he is swift to
imitate, if and when occasion demands. Full of animal
spirits, bubbling over with fun, and up to any form of
devilment, yet at the same time he is thoroughly dis-
ciplined, and instant in obedience. He neither forgets
his orders, nor that he is a gentleman.

One of the most popular " snotties " in the Grand
FUvt was H.R.H. Prince Albert, known on his ship,
H.M.S. " CoUingwood," simply as " Mr. Johnson." A
must affable and agreeable lad was the Prince, on good
terms with everybody, absolutely without side and
adapting himself willingly and loyally to all the rules
and regulations of the Service. \Ve have frequently
watched him taking part in physical exercises, drilling
with his Gun Room mates, and joining in their games ;

and he impressed us as being as good a sport as any
' ' snotty ' ' on the ship. On the occasion of his first visit to
" Borodino," in company with (if we remember rightly)
Sub-Lieut. Hamilton, he took tea with Captain Norton
and the writer. We had a playful way of welcoming
every midshipman upon the condition that as long as he
remained on board " Borodino " he must keep his hands
in his pockets and whistle all the time ; thus only could
the manager feel sure that nothing in the way of food
was " pinched." " Mr. Johnson " laughed heartily, and
promptly promised to obey this new rule and regulation,
and seemingly so enjoyed his visit that on several
subsequent occasions he repeated the pleasure.

Taken collectively the hottest lot of gun room lads
hailed from H.M.S. " St. Vincent." They were indeed
a merry crew, and as artful as a wagon-load of monkeys.
Whenever alongside that ship our staff knew there was
trouble coming ; and it was October brew first, last and
all the time. Our successor as manager awards the palm
for pure cussedness to the gun room mess of H.M.S.
" Indomitable."

It was the custom when " Borodino ' went alongside
a battleship for the first time to extend a hearty invi-
tation to the midshipmen to have tea and spend an hour
in the lounge, when it was always a pleasure to play their
accompaniments. In the matter of music, the gun room
mess of H.M.S. " Benbow " always looked forward to
our coming and, waiving the formality of an invitation,
would swarm into the lounge and cry loudly for the
manager. How those lads sang " Tipperary," and the
latest music-hall songs. It was a pleasure to hear them,
and to feel that they returned to their ship not without

gratitude to the Junior Army & Navy Stores for their
hospitality.

A certain " snotty " there was, so small that his head
barely reached the top of our counter. He was the pet
oi the Fleet, and a regular visitor to " Borodino." Al-
though diminutive in stature his appetite for bulls'-eyes
was great. His parents allowed him £i a month in
pocket money, the greater portion of which was promptly
invested in his favourite sweetmeat, which he bore off in
triumph. But though he had a sweet tooth, he was no
sugar baby. We have watched him with amazement
and respect facing a company of men, each one big
enough to swallow him, giving his orders with perfect
self-possession, and instantly noticing any irregularity
or lack of precision on the part of any seaman. May he
score bulls'-eyes all through life.

On one occasion when " Borodino " lay at anchor in
the midst of the Grand Fleet, we espied through our
glasses a tiny speck approaching from a battleship far
on our starboard beam. It proved to be a dinghy con-
taining two midshipmen who knew every trick of the sea,
and showed rare seamanship in battling with the elements
for it was blowing half a gale. When within hailing
distance a voice greeted them :

" What are you two young devils doing out on a day
like this ? "

It may be observed in passing, that on the face of the
waters language is apt to be terse, and very much to the
point. For answer the lads contented themselves by
bringing their fiail craft alongside our midship fender

with expert skill, and, having made fast, scrambled up
our rope ladder. The question was repeated, and the
speaker does not think he forgot any of it.

" One of our chaps," replied the elder of the two lads,
" is leaving us to-morrow, on promotion. We are going
to play up hell in the gun room mess to-night."

And then, coming to business, added,

" Have you any jam, pickles, toffy or ham ? "

While this unlikely material for a pleasant conflagration
was being collected, the two lads, who were soaked from
head to foot, were pressed to remain long enough to
effect a change of clothing.

" Time presses," was the reply, " and we must play
the game."

There was only time to haul up their boat and empty
the water that half filled it, before the goods had been
collected and the lads prepared to depart. As they shoved
off in reply to the final question,

" Who gave you leave to come across on such a day
as this ? " this answer was shouted back,

" Oh, that's all right, we'll get our ' permis ' when we
get back." Such spirits are unquenchable ; such boys
Britain breeds ; thus admirals bud, and thus our
Empire thrives.

" All the nice girls love a sailor " ; nor are the " snot-
ties " behindhand in their appreciation of the fair sex.

Thus the trick played upon the first visit of any gun
room mess to " Borodino " was never known to fail.
Addressing himself to the " Sub." the manager would
suggest that, possibly his mates might like to visit the
laundry. Thus far the invitation would fall upon
drowsy ears ; but when it was added that this could only
be upon the strict condition that none of the lads spoke
to any of the " girls," especially Miss Taylor who, they
were given to understand, was " some bird," an instant
stampede in the direction of the laundry had to be regu-
lated with a more orderly form of approach. The lads,
not without much furtive pushing for place, were formed
up in single file.

Each lad was busy in cocking his cap at the desired
angle, in adjusting his tie, in buttoning his coat, and
in assuming an " I'm-a-regular-dog " air ; thus ever
pride goeth before a fall. Having descended the stair-
case leading to the laundry, they burst, with an undue
amount of shoving, into that hive of industry, only to
discover that they had been " sold a pup."

The nearest approach to the "bird " so eagerly sought
after, was a raw Aberdeen youth of some six feet, with a
three-days' growth of a fierce reddish hue, and a flow
of language tinged with the same telling colour. The
" snotties" always took this "have " in good part, and
bore it the more cheerfully in the knowledge that they
were by no means the only victims.

It was good to meet those lovable, tiresome, winning
and wilful little men ; many, alas ! for the first and last
time. As we write thus, back come memories of not a
few who, at the Battle of Jutland, answered " Adsum "
to the last dread call, and whose wheel of life full-circled

in an hour, thus cutting short a life showing every
promise of a great career, but leaving behind records of
bravery that almost reconcile us to their loss.

Already, of those who remain, some have been pro-
moted to theward room, and in time will take the place
of those whose names are already written on the scroll
of fame ; but if in after years, in looking back, they can
recall some pleasant memories in which " Borodino "
bore her part, the labour of the Junior Army & Navy
Stores, who strove to study the welfare of the " snotty,"
will not havfe been in vain.

CHAPTER VIII.

So far the work of the Junior Army & Navy Stores on
" Borodino " has been described in so many pen sketches.
The work of one week was much like that of another.
As time progressed we found that our trips to port for
replenishment and repairs occurred about every fourth
month, being sent either to Aberdeen or Liverpool. On
one occasion at the latter port, on the day due for sailing,
we were warned that two submarines had been operating
early that very morning off the mouth of the Mersey.
Captain Norton, however, decided to adhere to his
time-table, and to sail that night on our return to
Scapa.

Our men had been presented with an Aberdeen terrier,
which, however, jumped overboard from " Borodino "
just a few moments before the pilot left our ship. This
fact, and the information given us earlier in the day, had
a somewhat depressing effect.

Sailors are naturally superstitious. Some hours later,
towards midnight, away on our port beam, we were sig-
nalled by Morse Code, " What ship is that ? " We replied,
"Borodino."

The question was again repeated, and the same answer
returned.

The next instant a red and green light appeared side by
side, whilst we were asked, " Where are you bound for ? "

Any British patrol boat would have known our destina-
tion, once our name had been flashed. We decided
that our interrogator was of enemy origin and replied
" Bergen ! "

A moment later we saw the flash of a gun, and felt
that at last our "number was up." Our engineers were
exhorted to clap on every ounce of steam ; ship was
darkened completely, and taking a great risk Captain
Norton ran his ship close along the land.

At the first streak of daylight we eagerly scanned
the sea, but found ourselves quite alone, and in due
course reached the Fleet. The incident was duly re-
ported. A few months later an officer, purchasing on
" Borodino/' mentioned that he had had the good
fortune to destroy the submarine who was paying us
close attention on the night referred to. Thus ended
" Borodino's " third escape.

Life to the staff on " Borodino " was somewhat mono-
tonous at times, yet notwithstanding, they were loyal
and faithful, both to the Fleet and to the Junior Army
& Navy Stores. Although regular shopping hours were
fixed, at the close of each day the staff were employed
for hours in the holds and refrigerating chambers, opening
cases and filling fixtures, sweeping, cleaning and making
ready for the morrow.

On a Sunday, whenever the weather allowed, the
men were conveyed ashore for a walk, and always when
the Fleet were away from the base football matches

were arranged between our ship and other Fleet Aux-
iliaries ; but on such occasions one or two men always
remained on board to attend to any destroyer or mine
sweeper which might happen to return with empty
larders. Away aft, over No. 5 hold, we constructed a
comfortable recreation room, in which was install
billiard table, measuring 8 feet by 4 feet. Card tables
were also supplied, and here many pleasant evenings
were spent by the staff.

A standing invitation was given to the officers of the
destroyers to come across in the daytime, and to use the
billiard table, of which they gladly availed themselves,
the room being crowded on the two days a week when
we anchored in the midst of the destroyer flotillas. I
recollect a winter, when tiie staff had not set foot
ashore for three months. One Sunday afternoon
the sea was like a sheet of glass and we gladly
acceded to the men's request to be allowed to go
ashore. A lifeboat was sent away with two of the ship's
officers, two members of the crew, and the majority
of the staff of the Junior Army & Navy Stores. They
had scarcely left the ship an hour when a gale arose,
and lasted through the night. There was no sleep
for those in charge. Our feelings may well be
imagined, for we had no idea of the whereabouts of
our men.

Early next morning the quartermaster announced
the approach of our lifeboat, and through our glasses
we counted every head, and were relieved that
every man was so far safe. A nasty sea was
running, and with great difficulty they made our
gangway, for the poor fellows were wet and exhausted.
We learnt that the only shelter they found was
a disused barn, through which the rain poured all
night, and the only protection it offered was from a

cutting wind. We were naturally glad to welcome them
back safe and sound, and every man was put between
warm blankets and very soon recovered.

Frequent concerts were given in the saloon by the
' Borodino ' Concert Party," on which occasions the
piano would be brought down from the lounge, and at
the Christmas and New Year, most excellent fare was
provided for everybody. The staff were berthed in
the first-class cabins of the ship,which were heated
by steam-pipes, and although the weather was often
desperate, and the decks in the winter covered thickly
with snow, yet " Borodino " was always snug and
warm.

We were provided with a drifter, which acted as our
" delivery van " for conveying officers, messmen and
their gear to and from their ships, and her crew always
participated in our social functions. Once every week
she made a trip to Kirkwall to fetch the weekly con-
signments of goods from head stores. On every second
week the writer personally took the trip, in order to bank
our cash takings, and to pay for local purchases. On
occasions these trips were dirty indeed. It is astonishing
what a sea gets up in Scapa Flow, and at times scarcely
anything but the larger craft can live in it. Even in
such weather " Borodino " was often the only auxiliary
vessel under steam amongst the Fleet, a feat due entirely
to Captain Norton's skill and desire to mutually serve
the interests of the officers of the Grand Fleet and the
Junior Army & Navy Stores. His ability in bringing
" Borodino " alongside battleships day after day was
astonishing, and officers have often assembled on their
battleships to watch and learn his methods of doing so
in the dirtiest of weather, without as much as cracking

Staff of " Borodino " Going Ashore in Drifter " Era II.

Borodino "Concert Party Rehearsing

an egg. To the present writer he always appeared as
a brother, and we take this opportunity to record our
personal thanks to him, and to his officers, for the great
help they always so willingly rendered.

With the work becoming increasingly heavy at head
stores, we were recalled in October, 1916, Mr. A. H.
Dominey being appointed our successor. He superin-
tended the work of the Junior Army & Navy Stores on
" Borodino " from that date until the ship paid off in
February, 1919, and the following pages are compiled
from his notes.

Our earlier routine has already been described, but
in April, 1917, the " Borodino " was also utilised for
carrying meat, flour, potatoes and sugar for the Ad-
miralty. This necessitated an alteration in our pro-
gramme, and we were allotted to two ships daily. In
fact, on more than one occasion (when we have been
" flouring " the Fleet) we have served as many as nine
ships in one day.

At this time, also, one of the days hitherto devoted to
the smaller craft was cut out, leaving us Saturday only
for destroyers, submarines and depot ships. In order
to provide equality of service we anchored alternately
at Longhope and Gutter Sound.

On Friday evening and Saturday morning we were
" at home " to submarine officers, and there never was
a finer body of men afloat. Any of the " K " officers
will recall the " Hun," who kept the whole flotilla alive-
It was he who conceived the idea of a dinner for sub.
marine officers. The " Borodino " saloon was re-
quisitioned, and the chief steward interviewed, with the

result that a slap-up dinner was arranged. About 16
sat down. Each one's health was drunk, and a speech
demanded. Eventually the company adjourned " up
top," and the piano was kept busy, and a really jolly
evening was spent. Alas, within a few days, many of
these brave fellows, including the " Hun," were in the
casualty list as " Missing, believed drowned."

Soon after the change in the command of the Grand
Fleet the new Commander-in-Chief, Admiral Sir David
Beatty, honoured " Borodino " with a visit of inspection
and, like his illustrious predecessor, went over every part
of the ship. After our having apparently satisfactorily
answered his many inquiries, he expressed his keen
appreciation and returned to " Queen Elizabeth,"
having captured the hearts of everybody on " Borodino."

U.S.S. " New York." Flagship of American Squadron.

U.S. Sailors waiting to board " Borodino " for shopping.

Face page 67.

CHAPTER IX.

U.S.S. SHIPS.

liuiiy in 1918 the American battleships arrived at
Scapa, and formed the 6th Battle Squadron. A general
signal was made that the officers were to be on exactly
the same footing as those of our own Navy, and it was
astonishing how soon they got into our ways. The
American naval officer was proud to be associated with
the Grand Fleet, and never failed to say so.

Soon after their arrival, we were allotted to one of the
ships, and naturally thought we were to have just an
ordinary day. We soon discovered our error, for the
ratings were to be allowed to come aboard as well as the
officers. Before we realised it the shop was packed out,
and the commander had to be interviewed with the
object of getting some sort of order established. This
was arranged, and things hummed on the " Borodino "
as never before.

It was some time before we understood all the Yankee
terms, and quite a while before they understood our
coinage. For " bunker-covers " (coppers) they had the
greatest contempt, and always left them on the counter.
Their paper money was, to say the least of it, dirty, notes
being screwed up and sometimes almost in rags.
Apparently it was a general practice to keep their jam

wrapped up in notes ! The manager of our bank ashore
said very rude things about them at times.

The days on which " Borodino " was allotted to
American ships were evidently " make and mend " days.
Directly we got alongside the men would form up on
deck four deep, with a marine at the head of a double
gangway, and there would be a queue of nearly all the
ship's company. One of the naval police would be on
duty in the shop, to hustle the men along, and as they
passed up one gangway a similar number was allowed
down the other. After the first day we never had the
slightest difficulty as regards overcrowding.

The American ships are excellently equipped, each
possessing a barber's shop, and about 40 shower baths.
The galley arrangements, too, are most up to date, the
food turned out being of first-class quality. The white
bread we obtained from these ships, at a time when " war
flour " was being used on British ships, was something
" to write home about."

Anything sweet appealed to the Yankee boys, and
" cans " of jam and honey, biscuits and candies — all
sweets are " candies " to them — sold like wildfire.
Souvenirs were also much in demand and anything with
a local view on it, from a postcard to a table centre, found
a ready sale.

On our record day we served 2,600 officers and men
in 5 J hours. This meant some going, and when we finally
pushed off the shop looked as though a herd of bulls
had been turned loose into it. Behind the counters
empty cases were strewn all over the deck, the counters
were almost bare, while the well of the shop looked like

a waste paper depot. It was really marvellous how our
staff cleared up, re-stocked and by closing time had the
place back to normal again.

Admiral Rodman visited " Borodino," and expressed
his high appreciation of the enterprise of the Junior Army
& Navy Stores in fitting out the ship. Until then he had
no idea that such a ship was afloat for the benefit of the
Fleet.

We also had with us for a very short period U.S.S.
" Olympia." She was Admiral Dewey's flagship in the
Spanish-American War, and looked very much the same
fore and aft. It was difficult to say whether she was
going home or coming back ! Although only with
us for a short time we evidently gave satisfaction
to this ship, as a few weeks after she left us for the
Murman coast we received an order which staggered
us on "Borodino," and made our head stores equally
' ' sit up and take notice. ' ' Notwithstanding difficulties of
supply and shipment they were all overcome, and the order
was executed to the entire satisfaction of all concerned.

The " Borodino " was used for some time as an am-
munition ship, in addition to her other duties, and the
spare ammunition from the American ships was stored
in her holds. An American gunner was put aboard to
take charge,and he proved a very useful " shop assistant"
on special days.

As almost everybody knows the American Navy is
quite " dry." Lest this should be assumed to be a
particular virtue of the American naval officer, we are
sure he would desire us to chronicle the fact that his

ship was " dry " only by order of the U.S.A. Government.
There were many ways in which these splendid fellows
slaked their thirst when desired. Wild horses will not
drag from me even one of them.

The American sailor, however, displayed wonderful
ingenuity in evading the law of his country, and even
on these " dry " ships, men have from time to time been
discovered speaking of their rich relations ! On one
occasion an American commander, observing one of his
seamen apparently the worse for drink, followed him, and
discovered a " merry " party boiling shellac, off the top
of which they skimmed the spirit, mixed same with some
of their " soft " drinks, and so obtained something akin
to the real goods.

The Junior Army & Navy Stores through " Borodino "
has made hundreds of friends with the officers of the
United States Navy, and regards it as a great honour to
have been privileged to meet them and to attend to their
requirements at sea. Through the medium of this little
volume a hearty invitation is extended to renew the
acquaintanceships thus made, whenever they are on
' ' this side. ' ' They will ever find a warm welcome awaiting
them at York House, 15, Regent Street, London, S.W.I.

The following are the names of the U.S. ships which
Borodino " actually went alongside from time to time: —

U.S.S. " NEW YORK "
(Flagship of Rear- Admiral Hugh Rodman)

U.S.S. ' DELAWARE."
„ ' FLORIDA."

„ ' OlvYMPIA."

„ ' TEXAS."
' WYOMING."

We are also able to quote the signals that passed
between the Grand Fleet and the American Squadron,
when the* latter bade good-bye to their British brothers
and set out for home.

Frum To

C. in C. G.F 6th B.S.

ist December, 1918.

Your comrades in the Grand Fleet regret your de-
parture. We trust it is only temporary, and that the
interchange of squadrons from the two great Fleets of
the Anglo-Saxon race may be repeated. We wish you
good-bye, good luck, and have a good time and come
back soon.

(2)

From To

6th B.S. C. in C. G.F.

1.12.18.

Your friendly and brotherly signal of godspeed deeply
appreciated by the officers and men of your 6th B.S. We
will never forget the hospitality which has made us feel
a part of your big family, and we intend to maintain that
relation for all time. We all hope to serve again under
your command.

(3)
From To

V.A. 5. R.A. 6.

ist December, 1918.

This is indicative of the intense brotherly unity and
sympathy which exists on both sides of that greatest
ocean highway, the Atlantic, and as it is not joined by
land, is ki-pt warm and alive largely by men of the sea.

(4)
From To

" New York " (Flagship) General.

1.12.18.

The officers and men of the 6th B.S. appreciate more
than can be explained the never-ending hospitality of
the officers and men of the Grand Fleet. We leave with
close recollection of our happy stay in these waters, and
with the hope that we may soon renew the firm friend-
ship that has grown up amongst us.

(5)

From To

A.C. 5. 6th B.S.

ist December, 1918.
Good-Bye-e-e-e-e-e-e.

H. SADLER. Copyright. H.M.S.

H,M S. " Barham," Flagship 5th Battle Squadron.

H.SADLER. Copyright. H.MS. "BARHAM.''

Jumping Off from Forepart of H.M.S. " Barham."

Face page 73.

CHAPTER X.

" Borodino " was alongside H.M.S. " Minotaur " when
the news oi the signing of the Armistice came through.
It was received by the ships' companies throughout the
Fleet very calmly, and whatever sense of relief was felt
by everybody, it was not immediately shown. As the
day wore on, however, " Borodino " became thronged
with customers. Poultry, game, caviare and the higher
class provisions sold enormously, whilst every mess
suddenly discovered that its wine locker was empty, so
that hundreds of cases were passed over the side into
pinnaces and our drifter for delivery.

The air became electrified, everybody quickly resolved
to " wake things up " at night, when suddenly a signal
appeared which set the seal on one's determination :
" Splice the mainbrace at 19.00 ! " A deafening cheer
went up from the crew of the " Minotaur," being re-
peated from every quarter of Scapa Flow, whilst in
the evening all the multifarious ships at Longhope
woke up, their sirens and whistles so'mding, rockets
and coloured lights also appearing. It was a "wet
night."

On the following day a little frozen meat ship arrived
and signalled to know the meaning of the lights a^nd
excitement of the night before. When we imparted the

good news of the signing of the Armistice she started her
sirens and celebrated " on her own."

We were privileged to witness the arrival of the sur-
rendered German ships, and are not likely to forget their
ignominious entry into Scapa Flow. They crawled in
like a lot of whipped dogs, escorted by the ships of our
own Navy. A dirtier looking bunch of ships and men
than these Germans it would be difficult to find the
world over, offering a glaring contrast to our own spick-
and-span Fleet. Obviously, paint and soap have been
unknown commodities in Germany for a considerable
period. In fact, silver watches and even Iron Crosses
were frequently offered to the crews of the British
patrolling drifters in exchange for soap, but the Hun
always received the same answer, " Nothing doing,
Fritz ! "

With the signing of the Armistice, the surrender of
the German Fleet and the dispersal of the bulk of the
Grand Fleet, our work and business on " Borodino "
gradually decreased, and it soon became evident that the
Junior Army & Navy Stores' Store Ship would speedily
have to terminate her commission. Bearing in mind the
large stock of goods on board, the Admiralty consider-
ately gave us extended notice to terminate our contract,
to enable us to dispose of as much of the stock as
possible, and on Saturday, 8th February, 1919, we served
our last customer, shaved our last client, and closed down
finally.

That same day we receivedfrom Vice-Admiral Sir Arthur
C. Leveson a paying-off pendant of the appropriate size

and colour, and this gracious and thoughtful act ton
the heart of every man on board " Borodino." No
greater compliment could have been paid to us, and the
Admiral has the knowledge that it was deeply appre-
ciated.

With the pendant flying, and also the Junior Army
& Navy Stores' flag flying from its accustomed place
at the foremast, on Sunday morning, gih February, 1919,
S.S. " Borodino," M.F.A. No. 6, steamed slowly out of
Scapa Flow, the depot and hospital ships and auxiliary
craft sounding their sirens and whistles. Every ship
dipped her flag, officers and men everywhere waved their
hats, and the warmth of our send-off seemed to em-
phasise the affection felt for " Borodino " by everybody
in those " Northern Mists." Without incident " Boro-
dino " reached London on the following Tuesday night,
and was safely berthed at Brunswick Quay, Surrey Com-
mercial Docks. Our staff speedily " dressed ship,"
setting out counters, fixtures, refrigerating chambers,
holds, laundry, &c., just as they had appeared in actual
working with the Grand Fleet, and for the next three
days " Borodino " was visited by the Board of Directors,
and also by the buyers and heads of departments of
the Junior Army & Navy Stores, by many of the
shareholders and friends of the Stores, and by the
representatives of all the most important London
journals.

For a few days afterwards a fleet of Stores motor vans
brought back to our warehouse hundreds of packages,
representing the stock remaining ; our flag was struck
and transferred to head stores, over which it now flies,
and finally " Borodino " was taken over by the Transport
Department of the Admiralty to dismantle, and restore
to her pre-war condition.

The following is a complete list of H.M. ships which
"Borodino " actually went alongside from time to time :—

H.M.S.

' ACHILLES."
' AGINCOURT."
' AJAX."
' ALBEMARLE."
' AURORA."
' BLACK PRINCE."
' BENBOW."
' BARHAM."
' BELLEROPHON."
' BLONDE."
1 COCHRANE."
1 CONQUEROR."

CAMPANIA."

COLOSSUS."

COLLINGWOOD."

CENTURION."

CANADA."

CYCLOPS."

COURAGEOUS."

CANNING."

COMMONWEALTH. ' '

CLEOPATRA."

CARYSFORT."

CARLISLE."

DUKE OF EDINBURGH.

DEFENCE."

DREADNOUGHT."

ERIN."

EMPEROR OF INDIA."

GLORIOUS."
HAMPSHIRE."
HERCULES."
IRON DUKE."

H.M.S.

" INDOMITABLE."
" INFLEXIBLE."
" KING GEORGE V."
" LION."'

" MARLBOROUGH."
" MINOTAUR."
" MONARCH."
" MALAYA."
" NEPTUNE."
" NEW ZEALAND."
" ORION."
" PENELOPE."
" QUEEN ELIZABETH."
" ROYAL OAK."
" REVENGE."
" RESOLUTION."
" ROYAL SOVEREIGN."
" RENOWN."
" RAMILLIES."
" REPULSE."
" ST. VINCENT."
" SHANNON."
" SUPERB."
" THUNDERER."
" TEMERAIRE."
" TIGER."
" UNDAUNTED."
" VANGUARD."
" VALIANT."
" VINDICTIVE II."
" WARSPITE."
" WARRIOR."

H.M.A.S. " AUSTRALIA."
H.M.A.S. " MELBOURNE."
H.M.A.S. " SYDNEY."

Taking a final survey, the work during the four years
was at times arduous and exciting, but it was always
made agreeable to the staff of the Junior Army & Navy
Stores, by the never-failing assistance and courtesy
shown by every officer in H.M. Grand Fleet with whom
we came in contact. We were ever made welcome in
the ward room of every ship, and to those thousands
of brave, charming fellows whom we met at sea, and
to-day count as friends, we tender our sincere thanks for
the hospitality shown. Head Stores is securely moored
at 15, Regent Street, London, S.W.I (Piccadilly Circus,
Tube Station), and a most cordial invitation is hereby
given to all N.O.'s to make this address their rendezvous
and headquarters in town, just as we were privileged to
provide these facilities in Scapa Flow.

Where everybody was kindness personified it is
difficult to mention names, but in addition to those
already alluded to in this volume, we feel it necessary
and a pleasure to especially thank Rear-Admiral Sir
F. E. E. Brock, Rear -Admiral Sir Lionel Halsey, Rear-
Admiral R. J. Prendergast, Rear- Admiral Sir H. G.
Brand, Rear- Admiral F. L. Field, and Captain G. P. Ross,
for the assistance given, and for the arrangements made
from time to time for the smooth working of our store
ship.

Our sincere thanks are also due, and are hereby
tendered to J. R. Tapp, Esq., Victualling Store Officer,
Scapa Flow ; R. P. Carter, Esq., Naval Store Officer,
Scapa Flow ; to all officials with whom we had to do
business at Scapa Flow, Aberdeen, and in the Contract
and Victualling Departments at the Admiralty ; and
especially to Captain W. J. Norton, the officers, engineers
and crew of " Borodino " for their co-operation and

help at all times, often under the most trying conditions.
And lastly, but by no means least, we thank Captain
Strachan and crew of H.M. Drifter " Era n," for the
splendid work and loyalty given to the Junior Army &
Navy Stores during the three years sne was attached to
" Borodino."

The Junior Army & Navy Stores to-day may feel
justly proud of the enterprise upon which they embarked
in December, 1914, and of the success of their work with
H.M. Grand Fleet during the four terrible years of war
fare that followed.

EXTRACTS FROM TESTIMONIALS.

The following are extracts from amongst the hundieds
of testimonials received by the Junior Army & Navy
Stores : —

The Admiralty :—

" . . . . My Lords Commissioners desire to take
the opportunity of expressing to you their appreciation
of the efficient manner in which the work (on ' Boro-
dino ') has been carried out by your organisation. . . .
In notifying to you their satisfaction at the success of
the arrangements made in 1914, I am to convey their
thanks for the efforts of your staff to meet the require-
ments of H.M. ships. . . . which have conduced very
much to the comfort of the officers of those ships."

Rear-Admiral Cecil F. Lambert : —

(Who, when Fourth Lord of the Admiralty
in 1914 organised the scheme).
' .... It is a very great satisfaction to me to hear
of the success of your enterprise .... I well remem-
ber that your Firm was the only one which came to my
assistance when the idea was first originated, and my
subsequent experience in Grand Fleet showed me what
an essential feature ' Borodino * was of the harbour
organisation .... I gratefully tender you my sincere
thanks for your good work . . . ."

Admiral Viscount Jellicoe :—

" . . . . The ship (' Borodino ') did so much to
contribute to the well-being of the officers and men of
the Grand Fleet .... of their gratitude there can
be no doubt . . . ."

Admiral Sir David Beatty : —

' .... I desire to express my appreciation of the
manner in which your work in connection with the
Grand Fleet has been carried out . . . ."

Admiral Sir Chas. E. Madden : —

' . . . . During four years of the war the Junior
Army & Navy Stores conducted a branch of their
business on board S.S. ' Borodino '. . . . attached
to the Grand Fleet. The branch has been a
great convenience to officers and officers' stewards,
and every endeavour has been made by the manage-
ment .... to meet the varied requirements of the
Fleet

Admiral Sir Cecil Burney : —

" .... I have much pleasure in testifying that
S.S. ' Borodino ' was of very great value, and
contributed considerably to the comfort of the officers
of the Grand Fleet

Rear- Admiral Hugh Rodman, U.S. Navy :—

" .... It gives me great pleasure in assuring you
that the services rendered by the Junior Army & Navy
Stores (S.S. ' Borodino ') to the squadron under my
command during our stay in Scapa Flow were very
satisfactory, and a very great convenience . . . ."

Vice- Admiral Sir Arthur C. Leveson : —

" . . . . The ' Borodino ' has gone, amidst the
regrets of the numerous officers to whom, one and all,
she has been of immense assistance. We have re-
ceived courtesy, promptitude and civility from every
one concerned, and I .... can testify to the universal
feeling, which was, ' What should we have done with-
out ' Borodino ' .

Vice-Admiral Sir M. E. Browning : —

" . . . . The manner in which S.S. ' Borodino '
attended upon the ships of the Fourth Battle Squadron
whilst at Scapa during my period of command ....
was very satisfactory, to both the officers and the
men ... ."

Vice-Admiral Sir J. M. de Robeck : —

" .... I should like to thank the Junior Army &
Navy Stores on behalf of the squadron for the work
they have done. The work of the Stores at Scapa
Flow for the Fleet, extending over more than four
years, has always been very satisfactory. They have
done their best to meet the demands of the ships in a
cheerful manner, have overcome considerable difficul-
ties, and been of great service to officers and men. . . ."

Rear- Admiral Sir Lionel Halsey : —

" . . . . There is no doubt whatever that the officers
of the Grand Fleet have to thank the Junior Army &
Navy Stores for their patriotic effort in risking great
losses, as the effort so successfully made was the
greatest boon to all. The name of ' Borodino '
will always be ^remembered by every naval officer
who served in the Grand Fleet with feelings of grati-
tude, for she truly fed them when hungry, clothed
them when cold, and cheered them up when feeling
a bit mouldy."

Rear-Admiral G. P. W. Hope :—

' .... I am sure all who served in the Grand Fleet
fully appreciate the services rendered by ' Boro-
dino ' and her staff in contributing to their comfort
and happiness. Your Board certainly deserve con-
gratulations on their enterprise in fitting her out . . . ."

F 2

Rear-Admiral G. H. Borrett :—

' .... I have much pleasure in saying that in
my opinion the commissioning of ' Borodino ' as
supply ship was an excellent idea and ably carried
out. It added a great deal to our general comfort in
the Grand Fleet while at Scapa . . . ."

Rear- Admiral F. L. Field : —

" . . . . S.S. ' Borodino ' . . . . has undoubtedly
been a great boon to all ranks and ratings .... I
cannot speak too highly of the ability and willingness
of the staff to cater for the benefit of the officers and
men of the Fleet on all occasions, frequently under
great difficulties . . . ."

Rear- Admiral H. L. Mawbey : —

" .... I have much pleasure in expressing my
great appreciation of the work carried out by S.S.
' Borodino/ under the management of the Junior
Army & Navy Stores, Ltd., since the commencement
of hostilities. Considering the difficulties of supply
that have no doubt had to be faced, I think your firm
may well congratulate itself on the excellence of its
service. The ' Borodino ' has, in my opinion, suc-
cessfully supplied a very real need during the past
four years . . . ."

Commodore F. M. Leake : —

"....' Borodino ' was greatly appreciated and
all will remember her visits to us with gratitude.
On behalf of the officers and ship's company (H.M.S.
' Achilles ') I hope you will accept our best thanks
for the great trouble you took in making ' Borodino *
the success she was . . . ."

Commodore G. H. Baird —

"... There is no doubt the establishment of this
branch of the Stores was a great boon to the Grand
Fleet, and was much appreciated by them ....
During the time that you were under my orders I was
constantly being asked by ships ' When is it our turn
lor ' Borodino ? ' which alone shows how much
this branch of the Stores was appreciated ....
There is absolutely no doubt, in my mind, that there
was a real necessity for a craft of this description, and it
was a real sporting effort on the part of the Junior Army
& Navy Stores, Ltd., to take it up and runit . . . . "

Captain \V. H. D'Oyley :—

" .... I wish to take this opportunity of express-
ing to you on my own behalf and of those who served
under me in H.M.S. ' Lancaster ' and ' Donegal,'
our grateful thanks for the ready and useful work per-
formed by ' Borodino ' . . . . during those memor-
able years of war in the North Sea .... On our
return to harbour, after somewhat irksome times at
sea on patrol, it was with a feeling of joy when we
sighted the old ship lying there always ready to give
us help . . . ."

Captain \V. Campbell :—

" .... It is difficult to see how we could have got
on without her ( ' Borodino ') . Life would certainly not
have been so comfortable. Her usefulness was only sur-
passed by the courtesy invariably shown by your staff. "

Captain Edward Reeves :—

' . . . . Having been in the Grand Fleet during
the whole war I can most readily state that the
initiative of the Junior Army & Navy Stores in equip-
ping and keeping going S.S. ' Borodino ' . . . .
has been greatly appreciated, and of very great use to
everyone at the northern base."

Captain Hugh Watson : —

' . . . . My experience of some period in command
of a battleship in the Grand Fleet, shows how
satisfactorily ' Borodino ' (Junior Army & Navy
Stores) has carried out the work. I emphasise that
this work has been very valuable to H.M. ships
' Canada ' and ' Bellerophon ' during my command
of these ships . . . ."

Captain The Hon. A. O. Lionel Forbes-Sempill :—

" .... I should like to express on behalf of myself ,
the officers and ship's company of H.M.S. ' Cordelia/
our most grateful thanks for the very satisfactory
service ' Borodino ' rendered to the ships of the Grand
Fleet. Nothing was ever too much trouble for you
to meet all requirements and demands, and the whole
staff were always most civil and obliging . . . ."

Captain Eustace Le T. Leatham :—

" .... I would like to place on record my appre-
ciation of the services rendered to the officers during
the last four years by the establishment of such a
concern by the Junior Army & Navy Stores. Their
managers and employees have always shown great
courtesy and have done their utmost to meet our re-
quirements . . . ."

Captain R. C. Lloyd-Owen : —

' . . . . The ' Borodino ' was a godsend to the
officers and men whose lot it was to be with the Grand
Fleet in the years 1914 to 1918. We were all treated
with the greatest courtesy and attention, and were
able to get all the good things that were obtainable in
London, at London prices . . . ."

Major G. C. Wainwright, R.M.L.I. :—

" .... I wish to express my great appreciation of
the services rendered by ' Borodino.' In the
specially hard times of 1915 to 1916, the attention
and courtesy shown could not be excelled, whilst the
variety and quality of the necessaries and comforts
for sale helped to cheer us and make life more tolerable
in this dreary wintry climate . . . ."

Commander R. R. Rosoman :—

" .... I seize this opportunity of expressing my
gratitude for all the good work that has been done for
us all. I always found the staff of ' Borodino '
willing and cheerful to supply us with things at any
time, and many of these times were night-time and
Sundays. I am quite certain we all would have been
very much worse off without ' Borodino '...."

Commander H. V. Dundas :—

" .... I must congratulate you and all concerned
in having made ' Borodino ' an inestimable Auxiliary
to the destroyer section of the Fleet, for I do not know
how we should have fared without her. Often we
were cheered up in the hard times 1914 to 1918 at
the sight of ' Borodino ' on arrival to provide the
necessary diet and requirements, from oysters to
washing "

Commander C. F. Allsup : —

' .... I should like to express my great appre-
ciation of the way the Stores were run. ' Boro-
dino ' undoubtedly greatly helped to make the hard
times at Scapa bearable. The Stores always seemed
to have just what one wanted, and one never regretted
a trip to ' Borodino,' although it frequently en-
tailed a cold, wet and unpleasant passage in an open
boat .

Commander H. C. Rawlings : —

" .... I should like to express my great appre-
ciation of all that was done for us. ' Borodino '
was a godsend to destroyers, especially after we had
been at sea for some time, and were short of food on
arrival. We either went alongside or sent a boat on
coming in, and day or night, week-day or Sunday, we
were given everything we required, and in fact, every-
thing was done by ' Borodino ' to help destroyers
as much as possible . . . ."

Lieut-Commander V. L. Wiles, R.N.R. :—

'....' Borodino ' has always been welcomed
alongside H.M.S. ' Canning/ and it has been a great
pleasure to meet with such excellent efficiency
and attention .... ' Borodino ' and her good work
should live long in the memory of the Grand Fleet."

Lieut. -Commander The Hon. G. Fraser : —

"....' Borodino " has made a place for her-
self on the naval side of the war, and will be always
remembered with gratitude by those naval officers
who were based at Scapa between 1914 and 1918 ..."

Ward Room Mess Secretary, H.M.S. " Revenge " : —

" . . . . We should like to express the thanks of
the Ward Room mess of this ship. During the past
four years ' Borodino ' has been a constant boon, and
all our dealings have been entirely satisfactory. I
feel sure that your work in connection with the Junior
Army & Navy Stores has been fully appreciated, and
will always be remembered by those who have served
in the Grand Fleet . . . ."

President, Ward Room Mess, H.M.S. " New Zealand " :—

". . . . The Ward Room officers have very much

appreciated the services of the ' Borodino ' whilst

with the Grand Fleet. She has on many occasions
been a godsend to us, and we do not know what we
should have done without her . ..."

Ward Room Mess Secretary, H.M.S. " Orion " :-

" The Ward Room officers desire to express their
appreciation of the able manner in which the Junior
Army & Navy Stores have attended to their require-
ments during the last four years at Scapa, and thank
your staff for the civility invariably shown . . . ."

Ward Room Mess Secretary, H.M.S. " Resolution " :—
" The Ward Room officers wish to thank you for
many kindnesses to us when at the northern base.
The mess caterer was able, with your help, to vary
our menu, and so keep people contented, while in-
dividual officers were able to obtain those personal
trifles which make so much towards comfort on
board

Ward Room Mess Secretary, H.M.S. " Plucky " :—

" . . . . The Ward Room officers of this ship desire
to express their appreciation of your work during the
time they were fortunate enough to be able to call
upon your services. I am sure I am voicing the opinion
of the whole mess when I say that the services of
' Borodino ' call for nothing but praise . . . ."

Ward Room Mess Secretary, H.M,S. " Inflexible " :—

" The Ward Room officers desire to say how greatly
they have appreciated the advantages placed within
their reach by the fact of ' Borodino's ' presence in
Scapa Flow. They have been much pleased also with
the quality of the goods obtained from time to time,
and acknowledge with many thanks the invariable
courtesy of the staff on board . . . ."

Ward Room Mess Secretary, H.M.S. " Kempenfelt " : —
' . . . . We desire, as a mess, and individuals, to
express our appreciation .... We have always
met with promptitude, courtesy, and efficient service,
and feel that S.S. ' Borodino ' has been an inestim-
able boon . . . ."

Ward Room Mess Secretary, H.M.S. ". Conqueror " :—

" . . . . The Ward Room officers are glad to have
this opportunity of putting on record their apprecia-
tion of the excellent services rendered by ' Boro-
dino ' during the past four years. The visits of your
ship alongside us have always been eagerly anticipated
and the results highly satisfactory in every way . . . . "

Ward Room Mess Secretary, " Imperieuse " : —

" . . . . The Ward Room officers express their
appreciation of the work done by the Junior Army &
Navy Stores here during the war, and of the courteous
and obliging treatment which they have all times
received from their staff .... ' Borodino ' was
a veritable godsend to us at this base, and we do not
know what we should have done without her ..."

Ward Room Officers, H.M.S. " Cyclops " :—

" . . . . We feel that we must express our opinion
of the services rendered by ' Borodino/ in alleviating
the dreary lot of those who have been placed beyond
the pale of civilisation in the waters of Scapa Flow.
... It can scarcely be wondered that ' Borodino *
became of considerable importance, for not only could
she supply what was unobtainable locally, but also,
should it happen that what was required was not at
the moment available, the order was immediately
taken in hand and executed with a speed and accuracy
which was as pleasing as it was agreeable . . . ."

Commander P. A. Koch, U.S.S. " Texas " :—

" .... It is a pleasure to extend to you the appre-
ciation the officers and men of this ship have for the
services you rendered them while the ' Texas ' was
attached to the Grand Fleet. The coming of ' Boro-
dino ' was always an event which we heralded at
Scapa, as it provided all hands with an opportunity
to obtain things which we could not obtain in our own
ship's store, and for which conditions would not per-
mit our going ashore .... We consider your ship
and store a unit without which the Grand Fleet would
not have been the complete organisation it was ....
It is one of the many things that will always be pleasing
recollections of our services in the Grand Fleet . . . ."

Lieut. Alexander Wotherspoon, as Secretary of the Ward
Room Mess, U.S.S. " New York " :—

" .... I am only too glad to say that all our
dealings with your branch aboard the ' Borodino '
were most satisfactory. I do not know of a single
order from us that was not treated with the greatest
courtesy and promptness, to the entire satisfaction of
the officer concerned .... It was not only a pleasure
to the officers, but to the men as well, to have
' Borodino ' come alongside, and serve us, and her
visits were always looked forward to .... I take
this opportunity to thank the staff of the Junior Army
& Navy Stores, Ltd., aboard S.S. ' Borodino ' for
their courteous and prompt service to us . . . ."

90
The following letter is apropos of our war work on land : —

COPY.
No. 1308.

MIDDLESEX R.A.S.C., M.T. (V.)

CENTRAL GROUP.

11.4.1919.

From The O.C. Central Group.
To Lieut. C. Selfe.

DEAR MR. SELFE :

Now that the night transport work has finished I
I should like to put on record my personal appreciation
of the very great help your firm, and the Civil Service
Stores, have rendered me in lending their transport.
With your assistance we have been able to carry nearly
one million troops across London, between the hours of
midnight and 6 a.m., when there was no other means of
conveyance, and the hardship which our soldiers and
sailors were called upon to undergo was considerably
reduced in consequence.

I owe a very great debt of gratitude both to you and
Mr. Coleman, for the helpful way in which you arranged
the drivers, and I will endeavour to express to them my
appreciation when we have our reunion on the 26th.

Yours faithfully,

(Signed) DAVID LAW,

Major Commanding Central Group,
Middlesex R.A.S.C., M.T. (V.).

See page 4ti.

PROGRAMME.

H.M.S. "IRON DUKE."

A MUSICAL PLAY IN THREE ACTS.

Produced on board M.F.A. " GOURKO " (Theatre Ship)
By the Officers of H.M.S. " Iron Duke.'*

THE SECRET.

ACT I.

SCENE — RESTAURANT " ROSENTHAI, " OF ROSENECH —
(A Fashionable Resort in Berlin).

DRAMATIS PERSONA.

Graf Adolf von Splitzentrausen ... Commander W. D. Phipps
(A High Official of the Wilhelm-
strasse Secret Service Bureau)

Upstadt (An Actor) Staff-Surgeon K. D. Bell.

Lieut. Somwort (Officer of the

General Staff) Asst.-Paymaster C. K. Lloyd.

Rosenech (Proprietor of the Re-
staurant " Rosenthal ") ... Asst.-Paymaster H. Rogers.

Pogglestein (a citizen of Berlin) Lieut.-Com. H. G. C. Franklin.

His two Friends / ^ut.-Com. T. F. P. Calvert.

\Eng.-Com. H. B. Moorshead.

Karl \TTT01-4 / Midshipman M. L. Cox.

Fritz /Waiters < ^ G Coffin

Commissionaire ... ... ... Capt. G. Rutledge, R.M.A.

C Lieutenant I. B. Franks.
Other patrons of the Restaurant < Midshipman F. A. Pigou.

L ,, R. L. Hayne.

?ACT II.

SCENE — A LONELY INN IN A FOREST.

DRAMATIS PERSON^.

The Innkeeper Commander W. D. Phipps.

General Studelbent (Cadonian

General) Lieut.-Com. H. G. C. Franklin.

Captain Dropoff (his Aide-de-

Camp) ... ... ... ... Midshipman M. L. Cox.

(Allies of the English).

Upstadt Staff-Surgeon K. D. Bell.

Somwort Asst.-Paymaster C. K. Lloyd.

General Biffin (English Envoy)... Eng.-Com. H. B. Moorshead.
Major Bangs (Aide-de-Camp) ... Capt. G. Rutledge, R.M.A.
Private Puddiftn (General Biffin's

servant) Lieut.-Com. T. F. P. Calvert.

Tank (a ratcatcher) Lieut. I. B. Franks.

C Asst.-Paymaster H. Rogers.

Villagers -s Midshipman F. A. Pigou.

L „ G. Coffin.

ACT III.

SCEN I •; I . I NTTERIOR OP AN HOTEI, ON' THE ROAD TO GERMANY.

SCEMv 2. Tin. SAMI:. (6 HOURS LATER).
DRAMATIS PERSON*.

id: Staff-Surgeon K. D. Bell.

Somwort Asst.-Paymaster C. K. Lloyd.

General Studelbent Lieut.-Com. H. G. C. Franklin

Captain Dropoff Midshipman M. L. Cox.

General Biffin Eng.-Com. H. B. Moorshead.

Major Bangs Capt. G. Rutledge, R.M.A.

Private Pitddifin Lieut.-Com. T. F. P. Calvert.

Tank Lieut. I. B. Franks.

Hanns (Landlord) Midshipman G. Coffin.

Mitzie (his Daughter) „ R. L. Hayne.

Prussian Sentr\ Commander W. D. Phipps.

Cadonian Officer Asst.-Paymaster H. Rogers.

Cadonian Soldier Midshipman F. A. Pigou.

\\V are gratefully indebted to Fleet-Surgeon Hunt, of H.M.S.
" Superb," for Painting the Scenery of this Act.

MUSICAI, CONDUCTOR ... MR. A. MOFFATT.

MUSIC ARRANGED BY BAND-SERGEANT JACKSON.

GOD SAVE THE KING?

JUNIOR ARMY & NAVY STORES,

LIMITED.

REGISTERED OFFICES :
YORK HOUSE, 15, REGENT STREET, LONDON, S.\\ .1

Founded in 1879 upon the principle of Co-operation for Officers

of the Royal Naval, Army and Auxiliary Forces and their

Families.

Opened to the Public by Resolution of the Shareholders in 1909.

CAPITAL - - £250,000

DIRECTORS.

SIR F. W. R. FRYER, K.C.S.I., Chairman.

Cor,. M. S. BROWNRIGG, J.P.

E. S. FREELAND, ESQ.

J. B. MEERS, ESQ., C.B., J.P.

CHAS. G. SELFE, ESQ., General Manager.

CAPT. REGINALD TERRELL, M.P.

WARWICK BROOKES, ESQ., Managing Director.

AUDITORS.

MESSRS. FOOKES, HICKMAN & CO., 21, Great St. Helens, B.C.

BANKERS.

MESSRS. BARCLAY & CO., LTD., i,*Pall Mall East, S.W.I.

MESSRS. COX & CO., 16, Charing Cross, S.W.I.

MESSRS. THE NATIONAL BANK, LTD., 3, Repent Street.S.W. I.

SOLICITORS.

MESSRS. COWARD & HAWKSLEY, SONS & CHANCE,
30, Mincing Lane, E.C

SECRETARY AND ASSISTANT MANAGER.

WILLIAM J. ALLEN

92
OFFICES AND HEAD STORES:

YORK MOUSE,

15, REGENT STREET, LONDON, S.W.I.

Telegraphic Addresc " SUFFICES, PICCY, LONDON."

Telephone No 4368 Gerrard (14 lines).

Export and Wholesale Warehouses.

5 TO 21, NEW KENT ROAD, S.E.

Stables.
BELVEDERE ROAD, LAMBETH, S.E.

Empties Depot.
6, CHICHELEY STREET, YORK ROAD, LAMBE" H, S.E.

ALSO AT

DUBLIN,

21, 22, 23 & 24, D'OLIER STREET.

Telegraphic Address " SUFFICES, DUBUN.'"

Telephone No 2961 Dublin.

Bankers.

THE NATIONAL BANK, LIMITED.
Branch Manager.

THOS. STANLEY.

ALJDERSHOT,

17 & 19, UNION STREET.

Telegraphic Address " Supplies, Aldershot."

Telephone No 3 Aldershot.

Furniture Show Rooms.

UNION STREET, ALDERSHOT.

Depository.
QUEEN'S ROAD, FARNBOROUGH.

Bankers.
LONDON COUNTY & WESTMINSTER BANK, LIMITED.

Branch Manager.
ARTHUR H. SMITH.

MALTA,

MANCHESTER HOUSE, STRADA REALE, VALETTA

Telegraphic Address " RUBY, MAI,TA."

Bankers.

THE ANGLO-EGYPTIAN BANK.
Branch Manager.

A. E. BLUNDEN.

CHEERIO!

265
G7J9

Junior Army & Navy Stores, ltd,
S.S. "Borodino" M.F.A.

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Full text of "S.S. "Borodino" M.F.A., No. 6; a short account of the work of the Junior Army and Navy Stores, ltd. with H.M. Grand Fleet, December 1914 - February 1919 by William J. Allen"

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